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Opposition activist questioned in Bolotnaya Square disturbances case

The questioning was quite natural within the framework of this case

MOSCOW, May 10 (Itar-Tass) — Blogger Alexei Navalny has been questioned in the case over mass disturbances in Moscow's Bolotnaya Square on May 6, his lawyer Vadim Kobzev told Itar-Tass.

"Navalny has been questioned; his status has not changed; he is still a witness in the case," Kobzev said.

The questioning was quite natural within the framework of this case. "A case has been opened; clearly, they'll be questioning witnesses. He has answered all the questioned today; if need be, he is ready to do it again," the lawyer said.

At the same time, he said he and Navalny had refused to sign the statement on not divulging information. "It's our right because neither Navalny nor I did not sign anything, although they informed us about the signing," Kobzev said.

Another Opposition activist, Sergei Udaltsov, was to have been questioned on Thursday, but the questioning was postponed to May 12.

Part of the persons who turned up for a public event coordinated with Town Hall on May 6, demanded that the authorities open the square, as the passage with metal detectors became too crowded. They then tried to break through the police cordon.

Some participants threw bottles and fires at police, and the most vigorous ones offered resistance to police trying to rip off their protective headgear. More than 400 persons were detained, including Opposition leaders Boris Nemtsov, Sergei Udaltsov and Alexei Navalny.