MOSCOW, March 3, 2008 (AFP) - Police in Moscow arrested dozens of people Monday at an opposition protest against the landslide presidential election victory of Dmitry Medvedev, an AFP correspondent said.

More than 100 police, some in full riot gear, arrested dozens of protestors taking part in the unauthorised demonstration following Sunday's poll won by President Vladimir Putin's chosen successor.

Among those detained was Nikita Belykh, the head of the opposition Union of Right Forces party.

Police grabbed people as soon as they pulled out placards or flags. Many of those detained were seized simply on exiting the nearby metro train station, with police manhandling even those who offered no resistance.