MOSCOW. Dec 13 (Interfax) - Alexander Melnikov, deputy head of the Moscow Main Interior Affairs Department, said the Moscow police acted within their powers during the riots on Moscow's Manezhnaya Square on December 11.
"We believe our use of force was commensurate and we prevented provocations," Melnikov said at a meeting of the Moscow City Duma security commission on Monday.
"All in all, we detained eighty people, of which 34 sought medical assistance and seven were hospitalized, including in serious condition. There were cut and stab wounds. Eight OMON special task policemen were injured, and five of them sustained serious injuries. However, we did not give in to that provocation either," he said.