Thousands Of Russians Attend Pro-Navalny Rallies Across The Country

 

The Guardian: Thousands of Russians attend rallies calling for Alexei Navalny’s release  

Allies of jailed opposition leader held as police close parts of Moscow and other cities  

Tens of thousands of Russians have rallied in cities across the country in a last-ditch effort to secure the freedom of the jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. 

The unsanctioned demonstrations have shown the determination of Navalny’s core supporters, who called for “freedom for political prisoners” in tense standoffs with riot police in helmets and body armour, who had vowed to disperse any gatherings. 

The nationwide protests fell short of the 500,000 demonstrators that Navalny’s team had sought to bring out on to the streets, but large crowds of up to 10,000 in Moscow and a similarly robust turnout in St Petersburg may at least let them call the evening a draw.  

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Update: Over 400 reported arrested in Navalny rallies across Russia (AP)  

WNU Editor: In the meantime Alexei Navalny's health continues to worsen .... U.N. experts say Putin critic Navalny in ‘serious danger,’ call for urgent medical evacuation (CNBC).

Update #2: Alexei Navalny should be evacuated for urgent medical treatment abroad, say UN experts (Euronews)