{"id":305029,"date":"2017-03-27T06:35:30","date_gmt":"2017-03-27T06:35:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/citifmonline.com\/?p=305029"},"modified":"2017-03-27T06:35:30","modified_gmt":"2017-03-27T06:35:30","slug":"russia-opposition-leader-arrested","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citifmonline.com\/2017\/03\/russia-opposition-leader-arrested\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia opposition leader arrested"},"content":{"rendered":"
Russia’s main opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, has been arrested at an anti-corruption protest he organised in the capital, Moscow.<\/p>\n
Thousands of people joined rallies nationwide, calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev over corruption allegations.<\/p>\n
At least 500 other protesters were detained in the capital and across the country.<\/p>\n
Most of the marches were organised without official permission.<\/p>\n
TV pictures showed demonstrators chanting “Down with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin!”, “Russia without Putin!” and “Putin is a thief!”.<\/p>\n
Correspondents say the marches appear to be the biggest since anti-government demonstrations in 2011 and 2012.<\/p>\n
Alexei Navalny was detained as he arrived to join the rally in central Moscow. Protesters then tried to prevent a police van from taking him away.<\/p>\n
In a tweet after his detention, he urged fellow protesters to continue with the demonstration.<\/p>\n
“Guys, I’m fine. No need to fight to get me out. Walk along Tverskaya [Moscow main street]. Our topic of the day is the fight against corruption,” he said.<\/p>\n
He later said police stormed the office of his foundation and detained its staff, who were broadcasting the protests live.<\/p>\n