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Russia opposition leader Alexei Navalny detained before Moscow protest Putin critic Alexei Navalny detained on day of protests across Russia
(35 minutes later)
The Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been detained outside his home after he called on his supporters to take to the streets of Moscow to demonstrate the growing momentum behind his protest movement. Hundreds of people including prominent opposition figure Alexei Navalny have been detained by police on a day of unsanctioned anti-Kremlin protests across Russia.
The lawyer turned anti-corruption campaigner, who wants to challenge Vladimir Putin for the presidency next year, is popular among a minority of the population, and his support is growing. A protest in March against alleged corruption linked to the prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, drew an estimated 60,000 people to the streets in cities across Russia. Navalny’s wife Yulia wrote on his Twitter feed that he had been arrested outside his house as he set off for a protest in Moscow that he had called in order to demonstrate the growing momentum behind his movement. Police later confirmed the arrest, saying he could get up to 15 days in jail on charges of failing to follow police orders and violating public order.
Witnesses said as many as 100 protesters were detained in Moscow in Monday and police used had pepper spray. Witnesses said more than 100 people were held at the Moscow demonstration and that police had used pepper spray. Reporters counted more than 200 detentions in St Petersburg, including that of Maxim Reznik, the city’s legislative assembly deputy. There were reports of further detentions in a number of Siberian cities.
Navlanly, a lawyer turned anti-corruption campaigner who wants to challenge Vladimir Putin for the presidency next year, is popular among a minority of the population, and his support is growing. A protest in March against alleged corruption linked to the prime minister, Dmitry Medvedev, drew an estimated 60,000 people to the streets in cities across Russia.
Navalny switched the location of Monday’s protest at the last minute to central Tverskaya Street, already closed off by authorities for military reenactments to mark Russia Day.Navalny switched the location of Monday’s protest at the last minute to central Tverskaya Street, already closed off by authorities for military reenactments to mark Russia Day.
At about 1.30pm local time Navalny’s wife, Yulia, wrote on his Twitter feed that he had been arrested about half an hour before the demonstration was to begin. Police later confirmed the arrest, saying he could get up to 15 days in jail on charges of failing to follow police orders and violating public order.
Smaller protests are being held in other Russian cities. Associated Press journalists witnessed at least 50 arrests in St Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. There were reports of further detentions in a number of Siberian cities.
Most of the rallies are taking place without police permission. Moscow authorities had made a rare concession to the opposition and given Navalny permission to hold the rally on a street close to the city centre. However, late on Sunday Navalny said every company from which the organisers had tried to rent a stage and sound equipment had told them the mayor’s office had forbidden anyone from lending equipment for the rally.Most of the rallies are taking place without police permission. Moscow authorities had made a rare concession to the opposition and given Navalny permission to hold the rally on a street close to the city centre. However, late on Sunday Navalny said every company from which the organisers had tried to rent a stage and sound equipment had told them the mayor’s office had forbidden anyone from lending equipment for the rally.
Navalny announced he was moving the rally to Tverskaya, saying “compromise is possible, but not humiliation”. Some in the protest movement welcomed the decision as the only logical response to the obstacles imposed by authorities, while others decried it as irresponsible, putting protesters at risk.Navalny announced he was moving the rally to Tverskaya, saying “compromise is possible, but not humiliation”. Some in the protest movement welcomed the decision as the only logical response to the obstacles imposed by authorities, while others decried it as irresponsible, putting protesters at risk.
Police said those who attended the event without placards or slogans would be free to walk along the street, but warned they would detain anyone who appeared to be protesting. Prior to the demonstration police had said those who attended without placards or slogans would be free to walk along the street, but warned they would detain anyone who appeared to be protesting.
Several teenage girls arrested in Petersburg just in the last few minutes pic.twitter.com/VBy0h0RkBK
This duck, in honor of Medvedev's infamous duck house, was also arrested pic.twitter.com/BKUpCr14Up
During the previous rally, on 26 March, more than 1,000 people were detained in Moscow alone, including the Guardian journalist Alec Luhn. Most were released after a few hours, but some were given 15-day jail sentences, including Navalny.During the previous rally, on 26 March, more than 1,000 people were detained in Moscow alone, including the Guardian journalist Alec Luhn. Most were released after a few hours, but some were given 15-day jail sentences, including Navalny.
A few people have been given more serious jail terms, with one protester sentenced to 18 months behind bars, in what appears to be an attempt to use random repression to deter people from protesting.A few people have been given more serious jail terms, with one protester sentenced to 18 months behind bars, in what appears to be an attempt to use random repression to deter people from protesting.
A presidential election is due next March, in which Putin is expected to stand and win a new six-year term. Navalny has travelled around the country setting up volunteer headquarters in many cities as part of his own bid for the presidency.A presidential election is due next March, in which Putin is expected to stand and win a new six-year term. Navalny has travelled around the country setting up volunteer headquarters in many cities as part of his own bid for the presidency.
It is almost certain that Navalny will not make it on to the ballot, due to fears that his campaigning on anti-corruption issues will create too much “negative noise”. But authorities are split on how to deal with the threat he poses. Some believe if left to its own devices his protest movement will fizzle out, while others think full-blown repression is the only course of action.It is almost certain that Navalny will not make it on to the ballot, due to fears that his campaigning on anti-corruption issues will create too much “negative noise”. But authorities are split on how to deal with the threat he poses. Some believe if left to its own devices his protest movement will fizzle out, while others think full-blown repression is the only course of action.
In April, Navalny had green liquid thrown over his face by assailants in Moscow, and was left temporarily blinded in one eye. Authorities have not apprehended those responsible.In April, Navalny had green liquid thrown over his face by assailants in Moscow, and was left temporarily blinded in one eye. Authorities have not apprehended those responsible.