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Protests for Navalny across Russia on Putin birthday Protests for Navalny across Russia on Putin birthday
(35 minutes later)
More than 130 people have been arrested as supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny hold protests in some 80 cities across Russia, reports say.More than 130 people have been arrested as supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny hold protests in some 80 cities across Russia, reports say.
They are demanding he be allowed to stand in 2018 presidential elections.They are demanding he be allowed to stand in 2018 presidential elections.
Clashes and arrests have been reported in St Petersburg, where the main protest is taking place. Clashes and dozens of arrests have been reported in St Petersburg, where the main protest is taking place.
The rallies coincide with President Vladimir Putin's 65th birthday. Most are unauthorised, including those in Moscow and St Petersburg.The rallies coincide with President Vladimir Putin's 65th birthday. Most are unauthorised, including those in Moscow and St Petersburg.
Mr Navalny is currently serving 20 days in jail for repeatedly violating a law on organising public meetings.Mr Navalny is currently serving 20 days in jail for repeatedly violating a law on organising public meetings.
It is the third time this year that Mr Navalny has been jailed.It is the third time this year that Mr Navalny has been jailed.
Russia's electoral authorities say he cannot stand in the March vote because of a separate suspended sentence.Russia's electoral authorities say he cannot stand in the March vote because of a separate suspended sentence.
In recent months he has travelled across Russia in a bid to bolster his makeshift election campaign.In recent months he has travelled across Russia in a bid to bolster his makeshift election campaign.
Mr Navalny had been due to attend the main rally taking place on Saturday evening in St Petersburg, Mr Putin's home city.Mr Navalny had been due to attend the main rally taking place on Saturday evening in St Petersburg, Mr Putin's home city.
Media reports say there were mass arrests at the protest, attended by as many as 3,000 people, when a group of demonstrators tried to break through a police line.Media reports say there were mass arrests at the protest, attended by as many as 3,000 people, when a group of demonstrators tried to break through a police line.
A Reuters witness saw at least 10 people detained. Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported that about 100 people were detained.
Several other organisers of the rally and leaders of the pro-democracy group Open Russia - sponsored by exiled former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky - were arrested in the city earlier on Saturday, according to human rights website OVD-Info.Several other organisers of the rally and leaders of the pro-democracy group Open Russia - sponsored by exiled former oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky - were arrested in the city earlier on Saturday, according to human rights website OVD-Info.
Meanwhile several people were arrested as hundreds rallied in Moscow's Pushkin Square, though all were reportedly later released.Meanwhile several people were arrested as hundreds rallied in Moscow's Pushkin Square, though all were reportedly later released.
The largest number of arrests was 20 in the city of Lipetsk, south-east of Moscow, OVD-Info said.
Protesters shouted "Russia will be free" and "Free Navalny". Others called for Mr Putin not to stand in the election.Protesters shouted "Russia will be free" and "Free Navalny". Others called for Mr Putin not to stand in the election.
Police urged people to disperse but did not move to break up the rally. Some protesters marched towards the Kremlin, but were blocked by police.Police urged people to disperse but did not move to break up the rally. Some protesters marched towards the Kremlin, but were blocked by police.
Elsewhere demonstrations ranged from a few dozen people to more than 100 in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk.Elsewhere demonstrations ranged from a few dozen people to more than 100 in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk.
Protest organisers were pre-emptively detained in Smolensk, Tver, Stavropol, Irkutsk, Yakutsk and Perm, media reports say.Protest organisers were pre-emptively detained in Smolensk, Tver, Stavropol, Irkutsk, Yakutsk and Perm, media reports say.
Participants were also reportedly arrested in Pskov, Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, Samara, Izhevsk, Saratov and Yekaterinburg. Participants were reportedly arrested in 25 cities, with at least 10 arrests each in Lipetsk, Yekaterinburg, Saratov and Bryansk.