Russia Opposition Leader Freed On Bail, Protests Rattle Kremlin -- Reuters
(Reuters) - Russia unexpectedly freed opposition leader Alexei Navalny on bail on Friday, bending to the will of thousands of protesters who denounced his five-year jail sentence as a crude attempt by President Vladimir Putin to silence him.
Putin's spokesman called the protesters "mobs" and warned that the rallies were illegal.
In a highly unusual ruling that points to Kremlin uncertainty over how to handle Navalny's case, a judge approved the prosecution request to free him pending his appeal so that he can run in a Moscow mayor election on September 8.
The anti-corruption blogger will be unable to leave Moscow but hailed the decision, a day after he was convicted of theft, as a victory for people power.
Experts said it was unprecedented for the prosecution to seek bail on such terms after sentencing.
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More News On the Release Of Russian Opposition Leader Alexei Navalny
The embrace that says 'I'm free': Russia releases anti-corruption blogger on bail less than 24 hours after jailing him for embezzlement -- Daily Mail
Court frees Russian protest leader -- The Australian
Freed opposition leader will run for Moscow mayor -- USA Today
Putin Foe Navalny Freed Pending Appeal After Outcry -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny freed on bail -- BBC
Kremlin critic Aleksey Navalny thanks supporters for rallying in his defence -- Euronews
Navalny Episode Hits Russia Where It Hurts -- Wall Street Journal
Court Decision Leaves Putin Foe Free to Run for Mayor of Moscow -- Time
My Comment: When all of my family and friends in Russia are in agreement that this was a wrong verdict and sentence for opposition leader Alexei Navalny .... that is when I know that the Kremlin/Putin has a problem. To their credit they released him today .... and are now hoping that he will lose in Moscow's municipal elections in September.
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