Russian authorities have decided to allow the opposition to hold a massive protest against election fraud.

Rally organizers said Friday up to 30,000 protesters are expected at the demonstration Saturday, on a square across the river from the Kremlin.

The announcement of the rally follows a violent crackdown on a series of demonstrations earlier this week, after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's United Russia party won parliamentary elections Sunday.

The prime minister's party barely held on to the lower house, but opposition parties and observers contend the winning results were probably inflated.

Mr. Putin appears to be set to win the March election, which would return him to the president's office.

Thursday, he lashed out at U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton because of her comments about the election and the protests. He accused Clinton of of instigating protesters in order to weaken Russia.