Vladimir Putin became Russia's President at the turn of the millennium and he&nbsp;had two tasks before him: handling the war in Chechnya and the Boris Yeltsin-era oligarchs;&nbsp;he weathered both.

In 2002, a Moscow theatre was seized by Chechen militants who took 912 people hostage, of which 129&nbsp;died. Putin handled the siege ruthlessly and&nbsp;earned a 'strongman' reputation with an approval rating of 83 per cent.

In 2014, Putin annexed Crimea and&nbsp;Russia was slapped with sanctions. However, four years later, Putin appeared to mock the sanctions&nbsp;when he managed to get the world to Russi&nbsp;for the football world cup.

For a man&nbsp;who has survived it all,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/alexei-navalny">Alexei Navalny</a> is becoming too grave a threat.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/biden-to-keep-all-options-on-table-for-navalnys-release-us-press-sec-jen-psaki-359479" hreflang="en">Biden to keep all options on table for Navalny's release: US Press Sec Jen Psaki</a>

Vladimir Putin is used to silencing dissent. In 2006, journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered on Putin's birthday. She had written about corruption in the Russian army. However,&nbsp;Putin denied any involvement.

Now, 15 years on, every critic of Putin has either met the same fate or has been silenced or sidelined in one way or another — be it former federal security service officer&nbsp;Alexander Litvinenko, former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, activist-journalist&nbsp;Vladimir Vladimirovich Kara-Murza or Ukrainian leader Viktor Yushchenko.

Alexei Navalny, however, has emerged as an exception after he survived a nerve agent poisoning. He&nbsp;used his recovery time&nbsp;to investigate attacks on journalists.

He exposed corruption in Putin's system, which he detailed&nbsp;in a two-hour documentary. Now, Navalny has kickstarted what Putin fears the most:&nbsp;a Ukraine-style Maidan revolution.

From Moscow to St. Petersburg, protesters have taken to the streets across Russia with demonstrations in at least 100 cities. While Russia has earlier, too, seen anti-Putin protests, something of this scale is unprecedented.

Putin knows the history and he understands the threat&nbsp;such protests come with. He knows that protests eventually toppled the Tsarist rule too.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russians-take-to-streets-to-protest-against-putin-after-navalnys-arrest-358817" hreflang="en">Russians take to streets to protest against Putin after Navalny's arrest</a>

On paper, Putin's dream of being a president for life&nbsp;is clear, but on the roads of Russia are&nbsp;hurdles abound. Many protesters are calling Putin a thief and&nbsp;most are calling for a Russia without him.

Putin's worst fears have come true because of the 44-year-old&nbsp;Alexei Navalny.&nbsp;He is popular and has support abroad.

Navalny's poisoning made him a household name and his dramatic arrest heightened his profile and&nbsp;made him the face of Russian opposition —&nbsp;a position that was lying vacant for over two decades.

He has done his research and&nbsp;knows how the Kremlin works. In fact, Navalny has outmanoeuvred Putin.

After Navalny was poisoned, he duped Russian agents into spilling the details of the attempted assassination and&nbsp;returned to Russia despite the threats of an arrest. In&nbsp;doing so,&nbsp;Navalny became a hero.

When he was jailed, he told the world&nbsp;that he has no intention of committing suicide. So, Navalny has basically put Putin in a catch 22 situation as letting Navalny walk out of prison comes with a huge cost, but&nbsp;keeping him behind bars is not helping either.

Silencing him inside prison is not even an option. The world is watching what's happening in Russia and the call for "freedom"&nbsp;has reached Berlin.

Europe is calling for Navalny's release and&nbsp;the EU is mulling sanctions.

Navalny has not just challenged Putin's leadership, but also his strongman image. Navalny has been exposing Putin and labelling him as a fragile and corrupt leader. He has forced Putin to clear his name in public. Putin is so threatened by his fiercest critic that Navalny is not even allowed to contest elections.

Three weeks ago, Putin's popularity had slipped to 65 per cent. One&nbsp;can only imagine what the protests have done to that number. The change in leadership outside the home has made matters worse.

The US President Joe Biden is not Donald Trump and his White House is not looking away. It has already asked for the release of Navalny and his supporters.

Vladimir Putin became Russia's President at the turn of the millennium and he had two tasks before him: handling the war in Chechnya and the Boris Yeltsin-era oligarchs; he weathered both.

Vladimir Putin became Russia's President at the turn of the millennium and he had two tasks before him: handling the war in Chechnya and the Boris Yeltsin-era oligarchs; he weathered both. In 2002, a Moscow theatre was seized by Chechen militants who took 912 people hostage, of which 129 died. Putin handled the siege ruthlessly and earned a 'strongman' reputation with an approval rating of 83 per cent. In 2014, Putin annexed Crimea and Russia was slapped with sanctions. However, four years later, Putin appeared to mock the sanctions when he managed to get the world to Russi for the football world cup. For a man who has survived it all, Alexei Navalny is becoming too grave a threat. Also read| Biden to keep all options on table for Navalny's release: US Press Sec Jen Psaki Vladimir Putin is used to silencing dissent. In 2006, journalist Anna Politkovskaya was murdered on Putin's birthday. She had written about corruption in the Russian army. However, Putin denied any involvement. Now, 15 years on, every critic of Putin has either met the same fate or has been silenced or sidelined in one way or another — be it former federal security service officer Alexander Litvinenko, former intelligence officer Sergei Skripal, activist-journalist Vladimir Vladimirovich Kara-Murza or Ukrainian leader Viktor Yushchenko. Alexei Navalny, however, has emerged as an exception after he survived a nerve agent poisoning. He used his recovery time to investigate attacks on journalists. He exposed corruption in Putin's system, which he detailed in a two-hour documentary. Now, Navalny has kickstarted what Putin fears the most: a Ukraine-style Maidan revolution. From Moscow to St. Petersburg, protesters have taken to the streets across Russia with demonstrations in at least 100 cities. While Russia has earlier, too, seen anti-Putin protests, something of this scale is unprecedented. Putin knows the history and he understands the threat such protests come with. He knows that protests eventually toppled the Tsarist rule too. Also read| Russians take to streets to protest against Putin after Navalny's arrest On paper, Putin's dream of being a president for life is clear, but on the roads of Russia are hurdles abound. Many protesters are calling Putin a thief and most are calling for a Russia without him. Putin's worst fears have come true because of the 44-year-old Alexei Navalny. He is popular and has support abroad. Navalny's poisoning made him a household name and his dramatic arrest heightened his profile and made him the face of Russian opposition — a position that was lying vacant for over two decades. He has done his research and knows how the Kremlin works. In fact, Navalny has outmanoeuvred Putin. After Navalny was poisoned, he duped Russian agents into spilling the details of the attempted assassination and returned to Russia despite the threats of an arrest. In doing so, Navalny became a hero. When he was jailed, he told the world that he has no intention of committing suicide. So, Navalny has basically put Putin in a catch 22 situation as letting Navalny walk out of prison comes with a huge cost, but keeping him behind bars is not helping either. Silencing him inside prison is not even an option. The world is watching what's happening in Russia and the call for "freedom" has reached Berlin. Europe is calling for Navalny's release and the EU is mulling sanctions. Navalny has not just challenged Putin's leadership, but also his strongman image. Navalny has been exposing Putin and labelling him as a fragile and corrupt leader. He has forced Putin to clear his name in public. Putin is so threatened by his fiercest critic that Navalny is not even allowed to contest elections. Three weeks ago, Putin's popularity had slipped to 65 per cent. One can only imagine what the protests have done to that number. The change in leadership outside the home has made matters worse. The US President Joe Biden is not Donald Trump and his White House is not looking away. It has already asked for the release of Navalny and his supporters.

Putin's popularity slips as Alexei Navalny's political equity rises

The US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden's</a> team has reported that he will be keeping all options on the table while considering any response to the arrest of the Kremlin critic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/alexei-navalny">Alexei Navalny.</a>

"First, I'd like to point all of you to a statement that was released this weekend by the State Department strongly condemning the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists in cities throughout Russia," the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russians-take-to-streets-to-protest-against-putin-after-navalnys-arrest-358817" hreflang="en">Russians take to streets to protest against Putin after Navalny's arrest</a>

Talking about the arrest of Navalny in Russia, Psaki said: "These continued efforts to suppress Russians' rights to peacefully protest and assemble and express their freedom of expression, and the arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the crackdown on protests that followed are troubling indications of further restrictions on Russian civil society."

"So, I'll just reiterate our call from here on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny," she continued.

She also said that Biden reserves the right to choose his manner and time of response.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tiktok-youtube-delete-content-promoting-illegal-protests-for-navalny-358766" hreflang="en">TikTok, YouTube delete content promoting 'illegal' protests for Navalny</a>

Further, answering a question about whether Biden will hold the Russian President personally accountable if Navalny's health deteriorates whilst in the jail, she said, "I would say this is the reason why the President tasked his national security team, his intelligence team, with assessing a range of issues as it relates to our relationship with Russia, including the SolarWinds breach, including the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, which we have been quite outspoken about from our national security adviser to the State Department, we'll continue to be."

"We want to see that review conclude. But as has always been the case, the president reserves the right to respond in the time and manner of his choosing. And I'm not going to take options off the table from here," she added.

This statement has come after several other international leaders have condemned the violence and police brutality against the democratic voices in Russia and have urged the Vladimir Putin-led government to immediately release Alexei Navalny.

The US President Joe Biden's team has reported that he will be keeping all options on the table while considering any response to the arrest of the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny.

The US President Joe Biden's team has reported that he will be keeping all options on the table while considering any response to the arrest of the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. "First, I'd like to point all of you to a statement that was released this weekend by the State Department strongly condemning the use of harsh tactics against protesters and journalists in cities throughout Russia," the White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said on Monday. Also read| Russians take to streets to protest against Putin after Navalny's arrest Talking about the arrest of Navalny in Russia, Psaki said: "These continued efforts to suppress Russians' rights to peacefully protest and assemble and express their freedom of expression, and the arrest of opposition figure Alexei Navalny and the crackdown on protests that followed are troubling indications of further restrictions on Russian civil society." "So, I'll just reiterate our call from here on Russian authorities to release all those detained for exercising their universal rights and for the immediate and unconditional release of Alexei Navalny," she continued. She also said that Biden reserves the right to choose his manner and time of response. Also read| TikTok, YouTube delete content promoting 'illegal' protests for Navalny Further, answering a question about whether Biden will hold the Russian President personally accountable if Navalny's health deteriorates whilst in the jail, she said, "I would say this is the reason why the President tasked his national security team, his intelligence team, with assessing a range of issues as it relates to our relationship with Russia, including the SolarWinds breach, including the poisoning of Alexei Navalny, which we have been quite outspoken about from our national security adviser to the State Department, we'll continue to be." "We want to see that review conclude. But as has always been the case, the president reserves the right to respond in the time and manner of his choosing. And I'm not going to take options off the table from here," she added. This statement has come after several other international leaders have condemned the violence and police brutality against the democratic voices in Russia and have urged the Vladimir Putin-led government to immediately release Alexei Navalny.

Biden to keep all options on table for Navalny's release: US Press Sec Jen Psaki

The political environment in Russia is getting more intense now, especially after the arrest of the Kremlin critic <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/alexei-navalny">Alexei Navalny</a>.

Following the arrest, people are now having to rely on video-sharing platforms such as TikTok and YouTube to get access to news. However, the video-sharing apps have taken steps to restrict content promoting the weekend protests, suggested by Navalny himself.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-authorities-arrest-over-a-dozen-supporters-of-navalny-358757" hreflang="en">Russian authorities arrest over a dozen supporters of Navalny</a>

As per Russian officials, TikTok had deleted some videos promoting the "illegal" weekend protests that were being organised to demand the release of Navalny.

Various posts demanding the release of Navalny have been viewed more than 300 million times on TikTok since this arrest at the start of this week.

Navalny, who is hugely gaining popularity among the youngsters of Russia, have been posting content in favour of Putin's sworn-enemy, despite several warnings by the Russian government.

This has also reached Navalny in his detention centre. "Respect to the schoolchildren who, according to my lawyer, 'wreaked havoc on TikTok'," his team posted on his Instagram account on the detained critic's behalf.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/russian-critic-navalnys-supporters-to-rally-for-his-release-despite-warnings-358735" hreflang="en">Russian critic Navalny's supporters to rally for his release despite warnings</a>

The Russian government has also, now, opened a criminal case into this matter, alleging an attempt to misleading youngsters pf the country into committing illegal acts against the security of themselves and the country.

While TikTok has been taking strict actions, YouTube has also not been completely ignorant to these messages being passed around, The popular video platform has also deleted nearly 50 per cent of the posts claiming it was urging minors to protest.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/eu-chief-has-urged-putin-to-release-navalny-but-kremlin-wont-budge-358602" hreflang="en">EU chief has urged Putin to release Navalny. But Kremlin won't budge</a>

Meanwhile, videos promoting protests have been gaining views and likes at a rapid rate.

Russia media watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed TikTok "deleted 38 per cent of information inciting minors to dangerous illegal actions" and also added Instagram and YouTube to the list.

However, Facebook has claimed that it has not yet removed any of such information.&nbsp;

"We've received requests from the local regulator to restrict access to certain content that calls for protest," a Facebook spokesperson said. "Since this content doesn't violate our Community Standards, it remains on our platform."

The political environment in Russia is getting more intense now, especially after the arrest of the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Following the arrest, people are now having to rely on video-sharing platforms such as TikTok and YouTube to get access to news.

The political environment in Russia is getting more intense now, especially after the arrest of the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny. Following the arrest, people are now having to rely on video-sharing platforms such as TikTok and YouTube to get access to news. However, the video-sharing apps have taken steps to restrict content promoting the weekend protests, suggested by Navalny himself. Also read| Russian authorities arrest over a dozen supporters of Navalny As per Russian officials, TikTok had deleted some videos promoting the "illegal" weekend protests that were being organised to demand the release of Navalny. Various posts demanding the release of Navalny have been viewed more than 300 million times on TikTok since this arrest at the start of this week. Navalny, who is hugely gaining popularity among the youngsters of Russia, have been posting content in favour of Putin's sworn-enemy, despite several warnings by the Russian government. This has also reached Navalny in his detention centre. "Respect to the schoolchildren who, according to my lawyer, 'wreaked havoc on TikTok'," his team posted on his Instagram account on the detained critic's behalf. Also read| Russian critic Navalny's supporters to rally for his release despite warnings The Russian government has also, now, opened a criminal case into this matter, alleging an attempt to misleading youngsters pf the country into committing illegal acts against the security of themselves and the country. While TikTok has been taking strict actions, YouTube has also not been completely ignorant to these messages being passed around, The popular video platform has also deleted nearly 50 per cent of the posts claiming it was urging minors to protest. Also read| EU chief has urged Putin to release Navalny. But Kremlin won't budge Meanwhile, videos promoting protests have been gaining views and likes at a rapid rate. Russia media watchdog Roskomnadzor claimed TikTok "deleted 38 per cent of information inciting minors to dangerous illegal actions" and also added Instagram and YouTube to the list. However, Facebook has claimed that it has not yet removed any of such information. "We've received requests from the local regulator to restrict access to certain content that calls for protest," a Facebook spokesperson said. "Since this content doesn't violate our Community Standards, it remains on our platform."

TikTok, YouTube delete content promoting 'illegal' protests for Navalny

A few hours after the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was arrested by the Russian government, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the Putin-led governent to reverse its decision.&nbsp;

"The chancellor condemns the arbitrary arrest of Mr Navalny... which violates the principles of the rule of law," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters, saying Germany called on Russia "to release Mr Navalny immediately."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-labels-his-court-hearing-as-mockery-of-justice-in-moscow-357488">Alexei Navalny labels his court hearing as 'mockery of justice' in Moscow</a>

Navalny had been undergoing treatment in Germany after he was evacuated to Berlin from Russia following an alleged poisoning attack by the Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The United States on Monday "strongly condemned" the arrest of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kremlin-critic-alexei-navalny-detained-at-moscow-airport-357383">Navalny</a>,44, who arrived in Moscow from Germany after recovering from the poisoning incident last August.

Watch:

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"The United States strongly condemns Russia's decision to arrest Aleksey Navalny," US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, adding, "We note with grave concern that his detention is the latest in a series of attempts to silence Navalny and other opposition figures and independent voices who are critical of Russian authorities."

Dominic Raab, the UK's Foreign Secretary took to Twitter to condemn the arrest saying, "It is appalling that Alexey Navalny, the victim of a despicable crime, has been detained by Russian authorities."

"Rather than persecuting Mr Navalny Russia should explain how a chemical weapon came to be used on Russian soil," he added.

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It is appalling that Alexey Navalny, the victim of a despicable crime, has been detained by Russian authorities. He must be immediately released. 
 
Rather than persecuting Mr Navalny Russia should explain how a chemical weapon came to be used on Russian soil.
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) <a href="https://twitter.com/DominicRaab/status/1351077741056172039?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 18, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The French foreign ministry also joined the United States in supporting Navalny, saying: "France notes the arrest of Alexei Navalny in Russia with very strong concern, it said, adding, "along with its European partners, it is following his situation with the greatest vigilance and calls for his immediate release."&nbsp;

President-elect Joe Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and European Council president Charles Michel also called for Navalny's release.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalny-reaches-russia-allies-arrested-at-vnukovo-airport-357343">Navalny</a> was detained in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday less than an hour after flying in from Germany.

"Navalny should be immediately released, and the perpetrators of the outrageous attack on his life must be held accountable," Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan tweeted.

However, Russian foreign ministry said other governments should "respect international law" while slamming them saying: &nbsp;"deal with the problems in your own country".

As soon as he arrived, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/alexei-navalny">Navalny </a>said: "I am not afraid... because I know that I'm in the right, I know that the criminal cases against me are fabricated." He was taken into custody by Russian authorities soon after.

A few hours after the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was arrested by the Russian government, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the Putin-led governent to reverse its decision.

A few hours after the Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny was arrested by the Russian government, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel urged the Putin-led governent to reverse its decision. "The chancellor condemns the arbitrary arrest of Mr Navalny... which violates the principles of the rule of law," Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert told reporters, saying Germany called on Russia "to release Mr Navalny immediately." Also read| Alexei Navalny labels his court hearing as 'mockery of justice' in Moscow Navalny had been undergoing treatment in Germany after he was evacuated to Berlin from Russia following an alleged poisoning attack by the Russian President Vladimir Putin. The United States on Monday "strongly condemned" the arrest of Navalny,44, who arrived in Moscow from Germany after recovering from the poisoning incident last August. Watch: "The United States strongly condemns Russia's decision to arrest Aleksey Navalny," US secretary of state Mike Pompeo said, adding, "We note with grave concern that his detention is the latest in a series of attempts to silence Navalny and other opposition figures and independent voices who are critical of Russian authorities." Dominic Raab, the UK's Foreign Secretary took to Twitter to condemn the arrest saying, "It is appalling that Alexey Navalny, the victim of a despicable crime, has been detained by Russian authorities." "Rather than persecuting Mr Navalny Russia should explain how a chemical weapon came to be used on Russian soil," he added. It is appalling that Alexey Navalny, the victim of a despicable crime, has been detained by Russian authorities. He must be immediately released. Rather than persecuting Mr Navalny Russia should explain how a chemical weapon came to be used on Russian soil. — Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) January 18, 2021 × The French foreign ministry also joined the United States in supporting Navalny, saying: "France notes the arrest of Alexei Navalny in Russia with very strong concern, it said, adding, "along with its European partners, it is following his situation with the greatest vigilance and calls for his immediate release." President-elect Joe Biden's national security advisor, Jake Sullivan, and European Council president Charles Michel also called for Navalny's release. Navalny was detained in Moscow's Sheremetyevo airport on Sunday less than an hour after flying in from Germany. "Navalny should be immediately released, and the perpetrators of the outrageous attack on his life must be held accountable," Biden's national security advisor Jake Sullivan tweeted. However, Russian foreign ministry said other governments should "respect international law" while slamming them saying: "deal with the problems in your own country". As soon as he arrived, Navalny said: "I am not afraid... because I know that I'm in the right, I know that the criminal cases against me are fabricated." He was taken into custody by Russian authorities soon after.

Germany's Merkel, US, UK, EU urge Russia to release Putin critic Navalny

The chief doctor of a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk that briefly treated poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been promoted to head of the regional health ministry, local authorities said Saturday.

In August, 44-year-old Navalny fell severely ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow and was hospitalised in Omsk after an emergency landing.

The anti-graft campaigner was eventually transferred for treatment to Germany where experts ruled he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/alexei-navalnys-anti-corruption-foundation-office-raided-by-russian-police-341048">Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation office raided by Russian police</a>

Alexander Murakhovsky, the head physician of Omsk Emergency Hospital No.1, was among the doctors who claimed no traces of poison were found in Navalny's system and stalled his transportation to Berlin.&nbsp;

A statement published on the website of the Omsk regional government said Murakhovsky "has completed all the professional steps, as a doctor and leader knows and understands all the processes that take place in healthcare".

It said his candidacy "was confirmed with the leadership of the Health Ministry of the Russian Federation. Alexander Murakhovsky has been appointed to the post of the Health Ministry of the region".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-may-quit-as-russias-president-amid-fears-he-has-parkinsons-disease-sources-claim-341032" hreflang="en">Putin may quit as Russia's president amid fears he has Parkinson's disease, sources claim</a>

On Friday, the Siberian branch of the interior ministry said doctors in Omsk confirmed Navalny's illness was caused by metabolic problems and pancreatitis, ruling out poisoning.

Navalny has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is personally responsible for the poisoning.&nbsp;

The Kremlin has rejected all allegations it could have been involved and has accused Germany of not cooperating in investigating the incident.

In October, the EU sanctioned several senior Russian officials over the poisoning, saying the attack with Novichok could not have been carried out without the complicity of the FSB security service, the defence ministry and Putin's office.

Navalny, who remains in Germany for treatment, has vowed to return to Russia after fully recovering.

The chief doctor of a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk that briefly treated poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been promoted to head of the regional health ministry, local authorities said Saturday.

The chief doctor of a hospital in the Siberian city of Omsk that briefly treated poisoned Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been promoted to head of the regional health ministry, local authorities said Saturday. In August, 44-year-old Navalny fell severely ill on a flight from Siberia to Moscow and was hospitalised in Omsk after an emergency landing. The anti-graft campaigner was eventually transferred for treatment to Germany where experts ruled he was poisoned with the Soviet-designed nerve agent Novichok. Also read| Alexei Navalny's Anti-Corruption Foundation office raided by Russian police Alexander Murakhovsky, the head physician of Omsk Emergency Hospital No.1, was among the doctors who claimed no traces of poison were found in Navalny's system and stalled his transportation to Berlin. A statement published on the website of the Omsk regional government said Murakhovsky "has completed all the professional steps, as a doctor and leader knows and understands all the processes that take place in healthcare". It said his candidacy "was confirmed with the leadership of the Health Ministry of the Russian Federation. Alexander Murakhovsky has been appointed to the post of the Health Ministry of the region". Also read| Putin may quit as Russia's president amid fears he has Parkinson's disease, sources claim On Friday, the Siberian branch of the interior ministry said doctors in Omsk confirmed Navalny's illness was caused by metabolic problems and pancreatitis, ruling out poisoning. Navalny has claimed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is personally responsible for the poisoning. The Kremlin has rejected all allegations it could have been involved and has accused Germany of not cooperating in investigating the incident. In October, the EU sanctioned several senior Russian officials over the poisoning, saying the attack with Novichok could not have been carried out without the complicity of the FSB security service, the defence ministry and Putin's office. Navalny, who remains in Germany for treatment, has vowed to return to Russia after fully recovering.

Head doctor at hospital that treated Navalny promoted

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has hit out at <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-opens-investigation-into-space-center-fraud-after-putin-rebuke-263614">President Vladimir Putin</a> over an alleged forcible military conscription of one of his allies to a remote airbase in the Arctic.

Navalny supporters said the incident amounted to "kidnapping".

Navalny said his key aide Ruslan Shaveddinov was detained by police at his Moscow flat and went missing only to resurface in Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean.

Shaveddinov phone SIM was disabled, Navalny informed.

The opposition leader said the activist&nbsp;who had earlier tried to appeal his conscription on medical grounds&nbsp;managed to make a phone call using someone else's phone.

The opposition has accused the Putin government of Soviet-style political suppression in which detainees were sent to a remote area. It said that Ruslan has been sent to a base where only professional soldiers serve.

Shaveddinov lawyer Arkady Chaplygin said that nobody does military service by conscription at Novaya Zemlya.&nbsp;

"People who serve there are professional soldiers. Military activity in Belushya Guba is mostly about some scientific military studies. There is no place for a conscript there. Effectively Ruslan was sent to a labour camp in exile to serve his time," Chaplygin said.

Ivan Zhdanov, Russian opposition activist said: "We fully understand that Ruslan's kidnapping is a part of the strategy aimed to pressure the Anti-Corruption Foundation.

"It also includes freezing accounts, personal court cases against opposition activists following the summer protests, constant searches in the offices of Alexei Navalny and across Russia," Zhdanov added.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has hit out at President Vladimir Putin over an alleged forcible military conscription of one of his allies to a remote airbase in the Arctic.

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has hit out at President Vladimir Putin over an alleged forcible military conscription of one of his allies to a remote airbase in the Arctic. Navalny supporters said the incident amounted to "kidnapping". Navalny said his key aide Ruslan Shaveddinov was detained by police at his Moscow flat and went missing only to resurface in Novaya Zemlya archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. Shaveddinov phone SIM was disabled, Navalny informed. The opposition leader said the activist who had earlier tried to appeal his conscription on medical grounds managed to make a phone call using someone else's phone. The opposition has accused the Putin government of Soviet-style political suppression in which detainees were sent to a remote area. It said that Ruslan has been sent to a base where only professional soldiers serve. Shaveddinov lawyer Arkady Chaplygin said that nobody does military service by conscription at Novaya Zemlya. "People who serve there are professional soldiers. Military activity in Belushya Guba is mostly about some scientific military studies. There is no place for a conscript there. Effectively Ruslan was sent to a labour camp in exile to serve his time," Chaplygin said. Ivan Zhdanov, Russian opposition activist said: "We fully understand that Ruslan's kidnapping is a part of the strategy aimed to pressure the Anti-Corruption Foundation. "It also includes freezing accounts, personal court cases against opposition activists following the summer protests, constant searches in the offices of Alexei Navalny and across Russia," Zhdanov added.

Ruslan forcibly conscripted, sent to Arctic base: Russian opposition leader Navalny

Russian authorities on Thursday froze a slew of bank accounts linked to jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny as part of a money-laundering investigation that his allies say is a trumped-up attempt to cripple his political movement.

The move comes ahead of a series of planned nationwide demonstrations on Saturday being organised by Navalny's allies to protest against the exclusion of opposition candidates from a Moscow election next month.

Similar protests in the Russian capital in recent weeks have led to mass arrests and prompted a wider crackdown on anti-Kremlin activists who have had their homes searched and been handed short jail terms or listed as suspects in a more serious investigation into what the authorities call mass unrest.

Russian investigators said in a statement on Thursday that they had frozen the bank accounts of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, those of another organisation, and those of more than 100 linked individuals and legal entities.

Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said on Twitter that investigators had also frozen the bank accounts of Navalny's campaign headquarters across the country.

Masked police officers searched the Moscow offices of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation as well as the homes of several activists on Thursday taking away computers and documents.

Investigators said they had also summoned some of the foundation's employees for questioning.

The crackdown came after investigators opened a criminal investigation on Saturday into the alleged laundering of 1 billion roubles ($15.31 million) by Navalny's foundation.

Navalny and his allies say the foundation, which has published a slew of embarrassing investigations into government officials, is transparently financed from public donations.

Navalny is currently in jail for violating Russia's tough protest laws after calling for people to demonstrate in central Moscow over the exclusion of opposition candidates from a local election next month.

Russian authorities on Thursday froze a slew of bank accounts linked to jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny as part of a money-laundering investigation that his allies say is a trumped-up attempt to cripple his political movement.

Russian authorities on Thursday froze a slew of bank accounts linked to jailed opposition politician Alexei Navalny as part of a money-laundering investigation that his allies say is a trumped-up attempt to cripple his political movement. The move comes ahead of a series of planned nationwide demonstrations on Saturday being organised by Navalny's allies to protest against the exclusion of opposition candidates from a Moscow election next month. Similar protests in the Russian capital in recent weeks have led to mass arrests and prompted a wider crackdown on anti-Kremlin activists who have had their homes searched and been handed short jail terms or listed as suspects in a more serious investigation into what the authorities call mass unrest. Russian investigators said in a statement on Thursday that they had frozen the bank accounts of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, those of another organisation, and those of more than 100 linked individuals and legal entities. Kira Yarmysh, Navalny's spokeswoman, said on Twitter that investigators had also frozen the bank accounts of Navalny's campaign headquarters across the country. Masked police officers searched the Moscow offices of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation as well as the homes of several activists on Thursday taking away computers and documents. Investigators said they had also summoned some of the foundation's employees for questioning. The crackdown came after investigators opened a criminal investigation on Saturday into the alleged laundering of 1 billion roubles ($15.31 million) by Navalny's foundation. Navalny and his allies say the foundation, which has published a slew of embarrassing investigations into government officials, is transparently financed from public donations. Navalny is currently in jail for violating Russia's tough protest laws after calling for people to demonstrate in central Moscow over the exclusion of opposition candidates from a local election next month.

Russia freezes bank accounts linked to opposition politician Alexei Navalny

Russian police detained more than 400 people, including opposition politician <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-police-detain-at-least-94-including-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-at-moscow-journalist-protest-226536">Alexei Navalny</a>, at a protest in Moscow on Wednesday calling for punishment for police officers involved in the alleged framing of a journalist.

Police abruptly dropped drug charges a day earlier against investigative journalist Ivan Golunov, a rare U-turn by the authorities in the face of anger from his supporters who said he was targeted over his reporting.

Golunov, 36, known for exposing corruption among Moscow city officials, was detained by police last Thursday and accused of dealing drugs, an allegation he denied.

The crude way supporters said Golunov was set up and detained triggered an unusual show of media unity and an uncharacteristically swift reversal from authorities nervous about social unrest at a time when President Vladimir Putin already faces disquiet over living standards.

The authorities had hoped freeing Golunov and promising punishment for those who allegedly framed him would appease his supporters, but they decided to go ahead with a protest on Wednesday, a public holiday in Russia, regardless.

Reuters witnesses said well over 1,000 people marched through central Moscow, chanting "Russia will be free", "Russia without Putin" and "Down with the Tsar" as police warned them not to break the law and blocked access to certain streets.

Some of the protesters wore white T-shirts saying "I am/We are Ivan Golunov," the same slogan as a front page headline carried by Russia's three leading daily newspapers on Monday.

In an unexpected twist, a young woman wearing such a T-shirt managed to get a front-row seat at a ceremony in the Kremlin at which President Vladimir Putin was handing out state awards, official footage of the event showed. The ceremony was taking place at the same time as the protest in the city.

OVD-Info, a monitoring group, said police had detained over 400 people. It said police had started to release some of them without charge while drawing up charges against others.

Police said earlier they had detained over 200 people.

Many of the marchers and those forcefully detained by riot police were prominent Russian journalists and activists.

"We came to show the authorities that we have consolidated, that we are united," said Vsevolod, 24. "We demand that hundreds of thousands of (criminal) cases where people are sitting in prison unfairly now be reviewed."

The authorities had warned protesters that their demonstration would be illegal and could threaten public safety.

Under Russian law, the time and place of protests involving more than one person needs to be agreed with the authorities in advance. Organisers of Wednesday's event had demanded that Moscow city officials negotiate those terms with them live on air during a TV broadcast, a demand they said officials refused.

A Reuters witness saw at least three police officers bundle opposition politician Alexei Navalny into a truck.

Kira Yarmysh, his spokeswoman, said on Twitter that Navalny was accused of breaking Russia's protest laws, something he has been repeatedly found guilty of, and faced up to 30 days in jail.

Navalny, who said police had accused him of organising the march, said on Twitter he had been glad to march "among honest people".

One protester, Ivan, 28, explained why marchers had defied the police. "The freeing of Golunov was not a victory. It was a tactical move by the authorities to prevent disorder breaking out today. But we came here anyway."

Russian police detained more than 400 people, including opposition politician Alexei Navalny, at a protest in Moscow on Wednesday calling for punishment for police officers involved in the alleged framing of a journalist.

Russian police detained more than 400 people, including opposition politician Alexei Navalny, at a protest in Moscow on Wednesday calling for punishment for police officers involved in the alleged framing of a journalist. Police abruptly dropped drug charges a day earlier against investigative journalist Ivan Golunov, a rare U-turn by the authorities in the face of anger from his supporters who said he was targeted over his reporting. Golunov, 36, known for exposing corruption among Moscow city officials, was detained by police last Thursday and accused of dealing drugs, an allegation he denied. The crude way supporters said Golunov was set up and detained triggered an unusual show of media unity and an uncharacteristically swift reversal from authorities nervous about social unrest at a time when President Vladimir Putin already faces disquiet over living standards. The authorities had hoped freeing Golunov and promising punishment for those who allegedly framed him would appease his supporters, but they decided to go ahead with a protest on Wednesday, a public holiday in Russia, regardless. Reuters witnesses said well over 1,000 people marched through central Moscow, chanting "Russia will be free", "Russia without Putin" and "Down with the Tsar" as police warned them not to break the law and blocked access to certain streets. Some of the protesters wore white T-shirts saying "I am/We are Ivan Golunov," the same slogan as a front page headline carried by Russia's three leading daily newspapers on Monday. In an unexpected twist, a young woman wearing such a T-shirt managed to get a front-row seat at a ceremony in the Kremlin at which President Vladimir Putin was handing out state awards, official footage of the event showed. The ceremony was taking place at the same time as the protest in the city. OVD-Info, a monitoring group, said police had detained over 400 people. It said police had started to release some of them without charge while drawing up charges against others. Police said earlier they had detained over 200 people. Many of the marchers and those forcefully detained by riot police were prominent Russian journalists and activists. "We came to show the authorities that we have consolidated, that we are united," said Vsevolod, 24. "We demand that hundreds of thousands of (criminal) cases where people are sitting in prison unfairly now be reviewed." The authorities had warned protesters that their demonstration would be illegal and could threaten public safety. Under Russian law, the time and place of protests involving more than one person needs to be agreed with the authorities in advance. Organisers of Wednesday's event had demanded that Moscow city officials negotiate those terms with them live on air during a TV broadcast, a demand they said officials refused. A Reuters witness saw at least three police officers bundle opposition politician Alexei Navalny into a truck. Kira Yarmysh, his spokeswoman, said on Twitter that Navalny was accused of breaking Russia's protest laws, something he has been repeatedly found guilty of, and faced up to 30 days in jail. Navalny, who said police had accused him of organising the march, said on Twitter he had been glad to march "among honest people". One protester, Ivan, 28, explained why marchers had defied the police. "The freeing of Golunov was not a victory. It was a tactical move by the authorities to prevent disorder breaking out today. But we came here anyway."

Russian police detain more than 400 at protest over journalist

Hundreds of people including top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny were arrested on Sunday as thousands of Russians defied bans to stage protests across the country against corruption.

Navalny had called for the marches after publishing a detailed report this month accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of controlling a property empire through a shadowy network of nonprofit organisations.&nbsp;

The report has been viewed over 11 million times on YouTube, but so far Medvedev has made no comment on the claims.

Sunday&#39;s march in Moscow was one of the biggest unauthorised demonstrations in recent years, with police putting turnout at 7,000-8,000 people.

Police detained Navalny, who has announced plans to run for president in the 2018 election, as he was walking to the protest, putting him in a police minibus.

The crowd briefly tried to block it from driving off, shouting &quot;Shame!&quot; and &quot;Let him out!&quot;

&quot;Guys, I am all right, go on along Tverskaya,&quot; Navalny tweeted from the van.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-video" data-lang="en">
Expect no criticism from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Trump?src=hash">#Trump</a> as arrests begin during &#39;illegal&#39; mass protests against <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Putin?src=hash">#Putin</a>&#39;s corrupt <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Russia?src=hash">#Russia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/trumprussia?src=hash">#trumprussia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/theresistance?src=hash">#theresistance</a> <a href="https://t.co/4TQCb7yefY">pic.twitter.com/4TQCb7yefY</a>
&mdash; Jonathan Beeley (@foreignpolicy77) <a href="https://twitter.com/foreignpolicy77/status/845968290736492545">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Police said about 500 people had been arrested in Moscow, while OVD-Info, a website that monitors the detention of activists, said at least 700 had been detained, as well as dozens in other cities.

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I took a photo of police detaining a guy at <a href="https://twitter.com/navalny">@navalny</a> protest so they detained me as well even though I repeatedly said I was a journalist <a href="https://t.co/vbsZF7CTtl">pic.twitter.com/vbsZF7CTtl</a>
&mdash; Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) <a href="https://twitter.com/ASLuhn/status/845964702861725696">March 26, 2017</a></blockquote>
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The Interfax news agency said 130 people were arrested in Saint Petersburg, where about 4,000 people gathered in the city centre.

&quot;We&#39;re tired of the lies, we have to do something,&quot; Sergei Timofeyev, a 23-year-old protester in Saint Petersburg, told AFP.

A spokeswoman for Navalny&#39;s Anti-corruption Foundation (FBK) said on Twitter than he would be held overnight before being brought before a judge on Monday.

He will face charges of calling a rally that disrupted public order, and could be held for up to 15 days.

From his cell, Navalny posted on Twitter that he was &quot;proud&quot; of the protesters and said the mass detentions were &quot;understandable&quot;.

&quot;The thieves defend themselves this way. But you cannot arrest everyone who is against corruption. There are millions of us,&quot; he wrote.

&nbsp;

&#39;They steal and lie&#39;

Thousands of people filled&nbsp;central Pushkin Square, some shouting &quot;Russia without Putin&quot;, referring to President Vladimir Putin. Some climbed on to lamp posts and the monument to poet Alexander Pushkin, shouting &quot;impeachment!&quot;

Dozens of police vans and rows of riot officers were lined up as a police helicopter hovered overhead.

&quot;We have all seen the movie, it gives specific examples of corruption, and there has been no reaction,&quot; Nikolai Moisey, a 26-year-old factory worker, said of the claims against Medvedev.

&quot;They steal and they lie but still people will be patient to the end. The protest is a first push for people to start acting.&quot;

Police officers moved to detain protesters and clear the square, with some using truncheons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd, AFP correspondents said.

Police also searched FBK offices over alleged incitement to hatred, and &quot;Everyone was detained and brought to the police,&quot; the organisation&#39;s spokeswoman Kira Iarmych said.

&nbsp;

&#39;99 cities&#39;

Despite the dramatic scenes in Moscow, state TV did not cover the protests, instead showing soap operas and nature films.

&quot;The whole country is tired of corruption on such a scale,&quot; 50-year-old Natalia Demidova said. &quot;Medvedev should be fired once such exposes come to light.&quot;

Elsewhere, about 2,000 gathered in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, carrying signs such as &quot;No to corruption,&quot; according to local news website Sib.fm.

Some held up images of yellow rubber ducks, following reports that Medvedev has a special house for a duck on one of his properties.

Local media estimated about 1,500 people turned out in each of the Siberian cities of Krasnoyarsk and Omsk.

The Russian constitution allows public gatherings, but recent laws have criminalised protests unauthorised by city authorities, who frequently refuse to grant permission for rallies by Kremlin critics.

Navalny said on his website that 99 Russian cities planned to protest, but that in 72 of them the local authorities did not give permission, citing reasons such as street cleaning, a bell-ringing concert and rival events by various pro-Kremlin groups.

The authorities had also pressured students not to attend, with some cities even scheduling exams for Sunday, according to reports.

In the far-eastern city of Vladivostok, about 700 people nonetheless turned up, local website Prima Media said, and a dozen people were detained by the national guard.

In the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,000 people turned up, according to local Znak.com website.

Navalny, a 40-year-old lawyer by training announced plans to run for the presidency after he won a surprise 27 per cent of the vote in the Moscow mayoral election in 2013.

But he has been the subject of several legal prosecutions in recent years, and in February he was found guilty of embezzlement and given a five-year suspended sentence which could make him ineligible to run in next year&#39;s vote.

(AFP)

Police detained Alexei Navalny, a major Putin critic, who has announced plans to run for president in the 2018 election

Hundreds of people including top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny were arrested on Sunday as thousands of Russians defied bans to stage protests across the country against corruption. Navalny had called for the marches after publishing a detailed report this month accusing Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev of controlling a property empire through a shadowy network of nonprofit organisations. The report has been viewed over 11 million times on YouTube, but so far Medvedev has made no comment on the claims. Sunday's march in Moscow was one of the biggest unauthorised demonstrations in recent years, with police putting turnout at 7,000-8,000 people. Police detained Navalny, who has announced plans to run for president in the 2018 election, as he was walking to the protest, putting him in a police minibus. The crowd briefly tried to block it from driving off, shouting "Shame!" and "Let him out!" "Guys, I am all right, go on along Tverskaya," Navalny tweeted from the van. Expect no criticism from #Trump as arrests begin during 'illegal' mass protests against #Putin's corrupt #Russia #trumprussia #theresistance pic.twitter.com/4TQCb7yefY — Jonathan Beeley (@foreignpolicy77) March 26, 2017 × Police said about 500 people had been arrested in Moscow, while OVD-Info, a website that monitors the detention of activists, said at least 700 had been detained, as well as dozens in other cities. I took a photo of police detaining a guy at @navalny protest so they detained me as well even though I repeatedly said I was a journalist pic.twitter.com/vbsZF7CTtl — Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) March 26, 2017 × The Interfax news agency said 130 people were arrested in Saint Petersburg, where about 4,000 people gathered in the city centre. "We're tired of the lies, we have to do something," Sergei Timofeyev, a 23-year-old protester in Saint Petersburg, told AFP. A spokeswoman for Navalny's Anti-corruption Foundation (FBK) said on Twitter than he would be held overnight before being brought before a judge on Monday. He will face charges of calling a rally that disrupted public order, and could be held for up to 15 days. From his cell, Navalny posted on Twitter that he was "proud" of the protesters and said the mass detentions were "understandable". "The thieves defend themselves this way. But you cannot arrest everyone who is against corruption. There are millions of us," he wrote. 'They steal and lie' Thousands of people filled central Pushkin Square, some shouting "Russia without Putin", referring to President Vladimir Putin. Some climbed on to lamp posts and the monument to poet Alexander Pushkin, shouting "impeachment!" Dozens of police vans and rows of riot officers were lined up as a police helicopter hovered overhead. "We have all seen the movie, it gives specific examples of corruption, and there has been no reaction," Nikolai Moisey, a 26-year-old factory worker, said of the claims against Medvedev. "They steal and they lie but still people will be patient to the end. The protest is a first push for people to start acting." Police officers moved to detain protesters and clear the square, with some using truncheons and pepper spray to disperse the crowd, AFP correspondents said. Police also searched FBK offices over alleged incitement to hatred, and "Everyone was detained and brought to the police," the organisation's spokeswoman Kira Iarmych said. '99 cities' Despite the dramatic scenes in Moscow, state TV did not cover the protests, instead showing soap operas and nature films. "The whole country is tired of corruption on such a scale," 50-year-old Natalia Demidova said. "Medvedev should be fired once such exposes come to light." Elsewhere, about 2,000 gathered in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk, carrying signs such as "No to corruption," according to local news website Sib.fm. Some held up images of yellow rubber ducks, following reports that Medvedev has a special house for a duck on one of his properties. Local media estimated about 1,500 people turned out in each of the Siberian cities of Krasnoyarsk and Omsk. The Russian constitution allows public gatherings, but recent laws have criminalised protests unauthorised by city authorities, who frequently refuse to grant permission for rallies by Kremlin critics. Navalny said on his website that 99 Russian cities planned to protest, but that in 72 of them the local authorities did not give permission, citing reasons such as street cleaning, a bell-ringing concert and rival events by various pro-Kremlin groups. The authorities had also pressured students not to attend, with some cities even scheduling exams for Sunday, according to reports. In the far-eastern city of Vladivostok, about 700 people nonetheless turned up, local website Prima Media said, and a dozen people were detained by the national guard. In the Urals city of Yekaterinburg, about 1,000 people turned up, according to local Znak.com website. Navalny, a 40-year-old lawyer by training announced plans to run for the presidency after he won a surprise 27 per cent of the vote in the Moscow mayoral election in 2013. But he has been the subject of several legal prosecutions in recent years, and in February he was found guilty of embezzlement and given a five-year suspended sentence which could make him ineligible to run in next year's vote. (AFP)

Russian opposition leader, hundreds of others arrested at Moscow protest