Arrests Made At Russian Nationalist Rally On Unity Day

Thousands of Russian nationalists have marched in Moscow - with about 30 detained by police for using Nazi slogans or symbols, or wearing masks, rferl.org reports. 

Some demonstrators waved nationalist flags of black, yellow, and white, while others chanted, "Russians Unite!"

Moscow authorities had sanctioned the march on November 4 and there were similar events in other Russian cities. 

The so-called Russian March -- an annual event coinciding with the Unity Day holiday -- has previously been marred by violent attacks against ethnic minorities and migrant workers from Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Leading opposition figure Aleksei Navalny, who usually takes part, said on November 4 that he still believed in the need to rid Moscow of migrants but would not be participating.

Tycoon Mikhail Prokhorov, a former presidential candidate, condemned the march on his Facebook account.

This year's march is taking place three weeks after violent riots against migrants following the deadly stabbing of a Muscovite, allegedly by a migrant from Azerbaijan.