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Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny detained ahead of nationwide anti-Kremlin protests | |
(35 minutes later) | |
The leading Vladimir Putin critic Alexei Navalny has been detained by authorities on his way to a protest in Moscow, his wife has claimed, ahead of a day of anti-Kremlin protests across Russia. | |
Mr Navalny's wife Yulia said he was arrested at the entrance to his home in Moscow about half an hour before the demonstration was due to begin. | |
The protests planned in Moscow will still go ahead, she said. | |
"Alexei was detained in the entrance hall of our building," she wrote on social media. "He asked me to tell you that the plans (for the protest) are unchanged." | |
A live internet feed run from the opposition leader's office went offline and his spokeswoman said electricity to the office was cut. | |
Reuters witnesses saw a police car leaving Mr Navalny's apartment compound at high speed, followed a few minutes later by a minibus carrying around 10 policemen. | |
It comes as small numbers of protesters were detained as they exited a metro station in central Moscow, witnesses told Reuters. | |
Thousands are expected to protest against corruption, part of Mr Navalny's long-shot drive to unseat President Vladimir Putin next year by tapping into anger over what he says is official fraud. | |
There is a risk of violence as Mr Navalny's supporters descend on Moscow city centre for an unauthorised protest. | |
Around the venue for the planned protest, on Tverskaya Street in central Moscow, hundreds of riot police and military conscripts were waiting. | |
Small protests have also been reported in cities in the Russian Far East, the BBC reports. |