Russian protesters jailed over rally

About 300 opposition protesters have been arrested after rallies were held in dozens of Russian cities to promote a boycott of the March presidential election.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny Source: AAP

Several associates of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny have been sentenced to 10 to 30 days in custody for staging an unsanctioned rally in Moscow.

The verdicts came a day after about 1000 Navalny supporters marched across the Russian capital to promote a voter boycott of the March 18 presidential election and to protest election officials' decision barring Navalny's candidacy.

Officials let the march proceed, but detained Navalny for several hours. He is to face a court later this week.

Sergei Boiko, the head of Navalny's headquarters in Moscow, was ordered detained for 15 days on Monday. Several other activists received sentences ranging from 10 to 30 days.

Smaller rallies were also held in dozens of Russian cities on Sunday, and police detained about 300 people nationwide.


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Source: AAP


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Russian protesters jailed over rally | SBS News