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Kudrin: Authorities, opposition responsible for Bolotnay clashes

Kudrin also described as disruptive the calls issued by Udaltsov "to express protests with a view to securing a cancellation of the inauguration" of Putin

MOSCOW, May 7 (Itar-Tass) — Russia's former Vice-Premier and Finance Minister Alexei Kudrin believes that both the authorities and the opposition bear the blame for clashes in the Bolotnaya Square in downtown Moscow on Sunday.

"The Bolotnaya developments, unfortunately, lead to a radicalization of part of the opposition and both sides are responsible for that," Kudrin has written in his tweet.

Kudrin also described as disruptive the calls issued by Sergei Udaltsov "to express protests with a view to securing a cancellation of the inauguration" of Vladimir Putin. The ex-minister remarked, "I did not go to the polls in the presidential elections but I do not dispute their results."

During Sunday's oppositional "March of Millions", clashes occurred between marchers and police. About 20 policemen were injured, and almost 400 people were detained. Tens of demonstrators also sustained injuries during the throng and the spraying of gas from cans which they themselves brought along.

Police reports that about 8,000 people took part in the march and the rally. Eye-witnesses, among them an Itar-Tass correspondent, speak of a much greater number of demonstrators.

Police detained Left Front coordinator Sergei Udaltsov, oppositionist Alexei Navalny, and PARNAS co-chairman Boris Nemtsov. A fine of 1,000 roubles was imposed on the latter for violating the established procedure for the holding of the rally in Moscow. Navalny and Udaltsov are expected to be tried on Monday. Charges imputed to them are that they disobeyed police, which entails an arrest for up to15 days.

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