Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reiterated that law enforcers used adequate measures against recent unsanctioned opposition rallies in Russia.
Putin was quoted by German political scientist Alexander Rahr after a meeting with the Valdai International Discussion Club in Sochi.
Last Tuesday Russian police detained almost 200 protestors at unsanctioned opposition rallies in Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Rahr said Putin confirmed his words that opposition rallies were a "provocation" against the government, but the Russian premier admitted that "the authorities should be more accurate in exercising the force."
Last Thursday, Putin said in an interview with Russia's Kommersant newspaper that opposition movements should abide by the law and apply for official permission to stage rallies.
The opposition movement stages "unsanctioned" March of Dissent rallies on Triumfalnaya Square on the last day of each month with 31 days in honor of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.
In Moscow, police arrested on August 31 some 70 people, including the Other Russia opposition party leader Eduard Limonov, Left Front opposition movement leader Konstantin Kosyakin and co-chairman of the Solidarity opposition movement Boris Nemtsov.
Police in St. Petersburg detained 90 protesters, including Olga Kurnosova, leader of the United Civil Front opposition movement.
SOCHI, September 7 (RIA Novosti)
