Police arrest ringleader of Putin protest

A RUSSIAN opposition leader was arrested outside his Moscow home yesterday as protesters marched against Vladimir Putin’s rule.

Alexei Navalny’s wife Yulia said he was arrested about half an hour before the main demonstration in Moscow was to begin. Police confirmed the arrest, saying he could get up to 15 days in jail on charges of failing to follow police orders and violating public order.

Although authorities had agreed a location for the Moscow protest, Mr Navalny called for it to be moved to Tverskaya Street – formerly Gorky Street – a main thoroughfare.

Tverskaya Street was closed to traffic for Russia Day celebrations and police used trucks to block protesters.

Up to 100 arrests were made in Moscow, and at least 50 at a protest in St Petersburg.

Mr Navalny is the most prominent figure in the opposition to Mr Putin and will stand in the presidential election in 2018.