U.S. 'Disturbed' by Crackdown on Protesters in Russia

The United States said Tuesday it is "disturbed" by a Russian security crackdown on peaceful protesters and urged the authorities to allow freedom of speech and assembly.

"We're troubled by reports of violence in Moscow during the protests on May 6 and by the arrests that have been carried out over the last three days," State Department deputy spokesman Mark Toner also told reporters.

"We are disturbed by images of police mistreatment of peaceful protesters both during the protests and after detentions," he said.

"At the same time we are also concerned by reports of violence perpetrated against law enforcement by a small group of protesters," he said.

"And we call on all parties to refrain from violence and strongly urge the authorities to respect the rights of freedom of assembly and speech," Toner said.

Vladimir Putin began a historic third term as Russian president Monday in an opulent Kremlin ceremony shadowed by a second day of arrests of activists protesting his 12-year domination of Russia.

Moscow police on Tuesday arrested two dozen people after the Russian opposition staged an unusual night-time sit-in close to the Kremlin against newly-inaugurated president.