More than 1,000 people rallying against Russian President Vladimir Putin were detained during protests across the country on Saturday, according to a human rights group.
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty Images
Thousands turned out in cities nationwide to demonstrate ahead of Putin's inauguration on Monday, which will see him take up another six-year term.
OVD-Info, a group that monitors political repression in Russia, reported on Twitter that by 7 p.m. local time more than 1,300 people had been detained in 21 cities across the country.
Among them was Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who had called for the mass demonstrations under the banner, "He is not our czar."
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty Images
Advertisement
Navalny was pictured being removed by riot police from the demonstration in the capital's Pushkin Square.
The detentions came as clashes broke out between opposition supporters and pro-Putin activists.
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty Images
At least 50 people were held by police in Moscow, according to OVD-Info. Nearly 100 were detained in Chelyabinsk, while 75 were detained and then released in Yakutsk.
Advertisement
The protests follow presidential elections in March which saw Putin win 77% of the vote.
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP / Getty Images
US President Donald Trump drew criticism after he congratulated Putin on his win, with commentators accusing him of applauding a political strongman.
{{ blurb }}
{{/blurb}} {{#picture_url}}