Russian activist Alexey Navalny detained as tens of thousands rally across Russia
Source: Washington Post
Russian activist Alexey Navalny detained as tens of thousands rally across Russia
By Andrew Roth and David Filipov June 12 at 6:12 AM
MOSCOW Tens of thousands of protesters turned out across Russia Monday in a nationwide rally against corruption that will also serve as a test of opposition leader Alexei Navalnys support in his longshot bid to unseat President Vladimir Putin.
Russian agencies reported that Navalny was detained by police after he called on his followers to gather on Moscows main thoroughfare, Tverskaya Street instead of an approved protest space north of the center.
Earlier, Moscows general prosecutor had that said Navalnys change of venue for the demonstration was illegal and police would take action. Putins spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said it was important to avoid provocations or illegal activities.
Russian state television, meanwhile, ran a live broadcast of Putin handing out state awards, and periodically showed a countdown to the Kremlin leaders annual televised direct line, in which ordinary citizens get to phone in their direct requests.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/thousands-rallyacross-russia-as-anti-corruption-activist-navalny-defies-moscow/2017/06/12/c1ba69c6-4ec6-11e7-b74e-0d2785d3083d_story.html