Navalny’s team, which organized the protest in Moscow and several other cities in Russia, told CNN he was detained shortly after arriving at central Pushkinskaya Square in the Russian capital.
Images showed Navalny, who was arrested for illegal protest organization, being carried through the crowds by police.
Protesters chanted “shame” and “Putin is a thief” as they marched through Moscow on Saturday, some carrying placards or Russian flags. When they chanted “we’re fed up,” one elderly man said, “I was fed up 10 years ago.”
A police helicopter hovered low over the demonstration to survey the scene. At one point a red smoke flare was set off in the crowd.
A heavy police presence could be seen near Pushkinskaya Square, with riot police and buses standing by. A CNN team saw police officers trying to disperse protesters and escorting them out.
A number of pro-Putin supporters also turned up at the protest, their chants drowning out those for Navalny.
Russian authorities demand that applications be filed and the timing and location approved for any rallies, protests or public events.
City officials had not authorized the protest in Pushkinskaya Square. The Navalny campaign had been offered another location away from the city center but went ahead at the unauthorized venue.
The opposition leader has risen to prominence in recent years by posting investigative stories online about the alleged corrupt practices of Russia’s elite.
Authorities recently shut down his website as well as several social media accounts.
The Kremlin rejects allegations of widespread high-level corruption and condemns Navalny as a dangerous threat to the country’s stability.
CNN’s Emma Burrows reported from Moscow, and Laura Smith-Spark wrote from London.
Source : Nbcnewyork
