Russia detains Navalny allies ahead of Putin speech
MOSCOW: Russian police detained aides of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and raided his offices Wednesday ahead of nationwide protests called for the day of President Vladimir Putin’s annual state of the nation.
Just hours before Putin was due to deliver his address, Russian police swept in on supporters of Navalny, Putin’s most outspoken opponent who is in prison on hunger strike.
Two close aides were detained in Moscow while monitors reported police raids on Navalny’s offices in Saint Petersburg and arrests of his supporters across the country.
Security forces had issued a warning against taking part in “illegal gatherings” on Wednesday.