Russia arrests dozens of leftist protesters

MOSCOW, Sep 25 (Reuters) Dozens of leftist activists were arrested near Moscow's Kremlin today after they forced their way into the finance ministry to protest against government policies, witnesses said.

The members of the National Bolshevik Party waved red flags, lit torches and shouted anti-government slogans from the finance ministry windows before police arrived.

Witnesses said the protesters offered no resistance and up to 40 were taken to a police station, according to the official Itar-Tass agency.

Russian authorities worry fringe movements such as the National Bolshevik Party, led by maverick leftist writer Eduard Lemonov, could attract more support among alienated youth.

They have been alarmed by the success of mainly pro-West youth groups in triggering political change in the former Soviet republics of Georgia and Ukraine in recent years.

Last year eight activists of the National Bolshevik Party were jailed for up to three and a half years for staging noisy protests near a presidential complex close to the Kremlin.

Reuters MQA VV1738