MOSCOW, May 23 (UPI) -- Russian police said Thursday they arrested a Moscow leader of the opposition Left Front movement and raided a bodyguard for party chief Sergei Udaltsov.
Human rights officials in Moscow said city police arrested and later released party official Vasily Kuzmin. He was detained in a raid that also targeted Denis Kuraishi, a former bodyguard for Udaltsov, the Left Front leader, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports.
The raids were part of an ongoing crackdown against Udaltsov's movement, which was tied to clashes between police and protesters on the eve President Vladimir Putin's inauguration in May 2012. More than 600 people were arrested.
Putin was elected last year to a third non-consecutive term as president. His re-election was marred by protests and his administration has cracked down on political opponents.
Udaltsov is under house arrest. He's accused of plotting against the state with Georgian leaders.
Human rights groups have expressed concern about political freedoms in Russia during Putin's third term.
