Alexei Navalny: Thousands of Russians register to protest for release of Putin’s foe

Tens of thousands of Russians registered to protest for the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Tuesday hours after allies called for mass street demonstrations.  

In a statement posted on Navalny’s website, his allies urged Russians to sign up for a protest on an interactive map. 

They said they will set a date for it when the number of people willing to take part reaches at least 500,000 nationwide.

The organisers claimed in a YouTube statement that the rally would be the biggest that Russia has seen.

They set up a dedicated website for the protest, inviting those willing to take part to register on the interactive map.

Tens of thousands of Russians register to protest for the release of opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Tuesday hours after allies called for mass street demonstrations

The 44-year-old Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putin's most outspoken opponent, was arrested on January 17 upon his return from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin

The 44-year-old Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken opponent, was arrested on January 17 upon his return from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin

They set up a dedicated website for the protest, inviting those willing to take part to register on the interactive map

They set up a dedicated website for the protest, inviting those willing to take part to register on the interactive map

Organisers said they will set a date for it when the number of people willing to take part reaches at least 500,000 nationwide

Organisers said they will set a date for it when the number of people willing to take part reaches at least 500,000 nationwide

Navalny’s chief of staff Leonid Volkov said: ‘When the number of us is big enough, we will choose a convenient date and stage a peaceful march in all Russian cities’.

Another top Navalny associate Maria Pevchickh said: ‘Our main enemy is indifference, apathy, being apolitical.

‘No one will give us freedom as a gift, it can’t be bought. We must fight for it.’

The 44-year-old Navalny, who is President Vladimir Putin’s most outspoken opponent, was arrested on January 17 upon his return from Germany, where he spent five months recovering from a nerve-agent poisoning that he blames on the Kremlin.

 Russian authorities have rejected the accusation.

Last month, Navalny was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for violating the terms of his probation while convalescing in GermanyT

Last month, Navalny was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for violating the terms of his probation while convalescing in GermanyT

Barbed wire sits on top of a fence at the penal colony in Pokrov, Russia, where Navalny is serving a two and a half year sentence

Barbed wire sits on top of a fence at the penal colony in Pokrov, Russia, where Navalny is serving a two and a half year sentence

Earlier this month, Navalny posted a note confirming that he arrived at a prison colony in Pokrov to serve his sentence. The facility stands out among Russian penitentiaries for its particularly strict regime

Earlier this month, Navalny posted a note confirming that he arrived at a prison colony in Pokrov to serve his sentence. The facility stands out among Russian penitentiaries for its particularly strict regime

Last month, Navalny was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for violating the terms of his probation while convalescing in Germany. 

The sentence stems from a 2014 embezzlement conviction that Navalny has rejected as fabricated — and which the European Сourt of Human Rights has ruled to be unlawful.

Navalny’s arrest fuelled a series of protests that drew tens of thousands to the streets across Russia. 

Authorities detained about 11,000 people, many of whom were fined or given jail terms ranging from seven to 15 days.

Navalny's arrest fuelled a series of protests (such as this one in St Petersburg last month) that drew tens of thousands to the streets across Russia and condemnation by Western powers

Navalny’s arrest fuelled a series of protests (such as this one in St Petersburg last month) that drew tens of thousands to the streets across Russia and condemnation by Western powers

Authorities detained about 11,000 people at protests (such as this one in Moscow last month), many of whom were fined or given jail terms ranging from seven to 15 days

Authorities detained about 11,000 people at protests (such as this one in Moscow last month), many of whom were fined or given jail terms ranging from seven to 15 days

Several top Navalny associates have faced charges of violating coronavirus restrictions by calling for protests, and have been put under house arrest.

Russian officials have rejected demands from the United States and the European Union to free Navalny and stop the crackdown on his supporters.

Moscow also has rejected the European Court of Human Rights’ demand to release Navalny, describing it as unlawful and ‘inadmissible’ meddling in Russia’s domestic affairs.

Earlier this month, Navalny posted a note confirming that he arrived at a prison colony in Pokrov in the Vladimir region, 85 kilometers (53 miles) east of Moscow, to serve his sentence. 

The facility stands out among Russian penitentiaries for its particularly strict regime.