Russian oppn leader held

MOSCOW: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Thursday he had been detained by police in Moscow, less than a month ahead of presidential polls he has been barred from contesting, reports AFP. The prominent Kremlin critic wrote on Twitter: "I came out of the dentist's and what do you know -- the second operative (police) regiment, 'you're detained'." He later wrote that he had been taken to a city police station.

Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova told TASS state news agency that he was being taken to a station to sign a police report and then would be taken to court, most likely the same day.

Navalny, who has been banned from standing against President Vladimir Putin in March polls for legal reasons, was detained last month after he appeared at a Moscow protest rally but was released later that day without facing court.

He wrote on his blog at the time that he faced up to 30 days in police cells but was told his court hearing would be held later.

 

Russian oppn leader held

MOSCOW: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny said Thursday he had been detained by police in Moscow, less than a month ahead of presidential polls he has been barred from contesting, reports AFP. The prominent Kremlin critic wrote on Twitter: I came out of the dentists and what do you know -- the second operative (police) regiment, youre detained. He later wrote that he had been taken to a city police station. Navalnys lawyer Olga Mikhailova told TASS state news agency that he was being taken to a station to sign a police report and then would be taken to court, most likely the same day. Navalny, who has been banned from standing against President Vladimir Putin in March polls for legal reasons, was detained last month after he appeared at a Moscow protest rally but was released later that day without facing court. He wrote on his blog at the time that he faced up to 30 days in police cells but was told his court hearing would be held later.