Several dozens of detainees to respond for December 15 disorders in Moscow

On December 15, the militia detained over 1300 persons and confiscated 16 traumatic pistols, more than 200 knives, hammers and baseball bats, a source from law enforcement bodies of Moscow said today. In total, 37 persons have been attracted to administrative responsibility for various offences.

Earlier, the Russia's MIA had reported that some 30 persons were injured during the riots; five were hospitalized.

"When checking the demonstrators for their belonging to informal or extremist movements, the militia detained 1348 persons in European, Smolenskaya-Sennaya and Manege Squares. 16 traumatic pistols, 208 knives and 260 other items - metal rods, hammers, electric shockers, brass knuckles and baseball bats were found on them and confiscated," the RIA "Novosti" quotes the source as saying.

The greatest number of participants in illegal actions was observed near the "Evropeiskiy" Trade Centre and in Smolenskaya-Sennaya Square, where a total of 7000 persons were present within the day.

To ensure the public order, 1500 militia servicemen were stationed near the "Kievskaya" and "Smolenskaya" metro stations, of whom 600 were internal troops soldiers.