Security to be increased in Moscow on Easter

During the Easter celebrations, 6,500 policemen will be providing security in the Russian capital, official spokesman for Moscow's main interior affairs department, police Lieutenant Colonel Yevgeny Gildeyev told RIA Novosti.

According to Lt.-Col. Gildeyev, 4,000 law-enforcers will be providing security in 229 churches where the Easter service is to be held.

"About 1,500 policemen will be patrolling 57 cemeteries of Moscow and the surrounding areas," said Lt.-Col. Gildeyev (on this day, Russians traditionally visit cemeteries where their near and dear are buried).

He emphasized that a working group would be set up to supervise the Moscow police forces.

At the entrance to churches and cemeteries of Moscow, the police will search the citizens with metal detectors, said Yevgeny Gildeyev.

Besides, policemen with sniffer dogs will be sent to crowded places. Reserve police detachments will be formed in each administrative district of Moscow for possible emergencies, he added.