Russia's opposition was set to hold a<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-police-detain-more-than-400-at-protest-over-journalist-226611&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwif-s-0iK3kAhV17XMBHSJDBmAQFjAAegQIBBAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw3dvePUbulkrYKjAfca9j4F"> new protest march in central Moscow </a>on Saturday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital.

Demonstrations have been held on an almost weekly basis since July after authorities denied most opposition candidates registration in the elections for the city parliament next Sunday.

<a href="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-uds-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/tears-fear-as-russian-students-jailed-over-opposition-protests-244945&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjD-IjLiK3kAhVRH48KHfF1B6IQFjACegQIDhAC&amp;usg=AOvVaw0yyfdrr_dxeCT9mXURovxH">Moscow prosecutors warned that the latest rally</a>, called by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for 2 pm (1100 GMT) on part of the city's Boulevard Ring, was not authorised and participants would "bear responsibility."

On social networks, Muscovites shared a photo of water cannons allegedly stationed along the route of the protest, dubbed the "March against political repressions."

Opposition politicians had requested permission to hold the march but were turned down.&nbsp;

In the past, the Moscow polls have generated little public interest.

But this summer they have spiralled into the biggest political crisis since the wave of protests in 2011-2012 against Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin.

Authorities have launched a wide-ranging probe into "unrest" which could lead to long prison sentences for several suspects and made thousands of arrests.&nbsp;

Another probe has been launched against Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has produced numerous videos alleging massive graft among officials at City Hall run by Putin's ally, mayor Sergei Sobyanin.

Many of the candidates were told the signatures they gathered to qualify were invalid, with Putin alleging they were "falsifications."

"Election committees found that their (signature) lists had... people who had died long ago," he said last week.

But opposition candidates, such as politician Ilya Yashin, hit back, accusing Putin of lying and appealed this week to Russian Supreme Court to have his candidacy reinstated.&nbsp;

On Wednesday, Yashin was detained for the fifth time since July for violating rules on public gatherings.

Another candidate Lyubov Sobol, an associate of Navalny, was assaulted near her home Thursday.&nbsp;

According to OVD Info, an independent monitor of arrests and other politically-tinged persecution, police detained some 2,700 people at this summer's demonstrations.

Besides, there are multiple criminal cases against participants on charges such as "mass unrest" and "violence against police."

At least two couples who took their children to the protests have been threatened with losing parental rights.

Russia's opposition was set to hold a new protest march in central Moscow on Saturday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital.

Russia's opposition was set to hold a new protest march in central Moscow on Saturday, despite a ban by authorities, a week before controversial regional polls in the capital. Demonstrations have been held on an almost weekly basis since July after authorities denied most opposition candidates registration in the elections for the city parliament next Sunday. Moscow prosecutors warned that the latest rally, called by Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny for 2 pm (1100 GMT) on part of the city's Boulevard Ring, was not authorised and participants would "bear responsibility." On social networks, Muscovites shared a photo of water cannons allegedly stationed along the route of the protest, dubbed the "March against political repressions." Opposition politicians had requested permission to hold the march but were turned down. In the past, the Moscow polls have generated little public interest. But this summer they have spiralled into the biggest political crisis since the wave of protests in 2011-2012 against Vladimir Putin's return to the Kremlin. Authorities have launched a wide-ranging probe into "unrest" which could lead to long prison sentences for several suspects and made thousands of arrests. Another probe has been launched against Navalny's anti-corruption foundation, which has produced numerous videos alleging massive graft among officials at City Hall run by Putin's ally, mayor Sergei Sobyanin. Many of the candidates were told the signatures they gathered to qualify were invalid, with Putin alleging they were "falsifications." "Election committees found that their (signature) lists had... people who had died long ago," he said last week. But opposition candidates, such as politician Ilya Yashin, hit back, accusing Putin of lying and appealed this week to Russian Supreme Court to have his candidacy reinstated. On Wednesday, Yashin was detained for the fifth time since July for violating rules on public gatherings. Another candidate Lyubov Sobol, an associate of Navalny, was assaulted near her home Thursday. According to OVD Info, an independent monitor of arrests and other politically-tinged persecution, police detained some 2,700 people at this summer's demonstrations. Besides, there are multiple criminal cases against participants on charges such as "mass unrest" and "violence against police." At least two couples who took their children to the protests have been threatened with losing parental rights.

Russian opposition to hold new protest march despite ban

Russian police on Saturday detained prominent opposition activist Lyubov Sobol ahead of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russian-opposition-plans-new-election-protest-despite-crackdown-240340">planned protest in Moscow</a> to demand free elections.

Thousands of Russian opposition protesters are expected to try and rally again in Moscow on Saturday despite a sweeping police crackdown and ban on the event.

Sobol had called on people to attend the demonstration, which authorities in Moscow had refused to sanction.

Sobol, who is on hunger strike, was detained in a taxi as she tried to make her way to the protest and driven off in a police van.

The unauthorised march along Moscow's leafy boulevards will be the latest in a series of demonstrations after officials refused to let popular opposition candidates run in next month's city parliament elections.

The local issue has boiled over into one of the worst political conflicts of recent years, with rallies of up to 22,000 people and police violence against demonstrators.

More than 6,000 people said on Facebook they would take part in the march along Moscow's so-called Boulevard Ring on Saturday to "bring back the right to elections".

Authorities installed barriers along the route ahead of the protest.

Candidates needed to collect signatures from city residents to stand in the polls but officials said they were disqualified because some names were forged.

But candidates, including allies of top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, insist their signatures were thrown out arbitrarily, and the whole vetting process was skewed against them.

Many Muscovites said their signatures in support of opposition candidates were declared invalid for no reason.

President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on the situation in Moscow.

Russian police on Saturday detained prominent opposition activist Lyubov Sobol ahead of a planned protest in Moscow to demand free elections. Thousands of Russian opposition protesters are expected to try and rally again in Moscow on Saturday despite a sweeping police crackdown and ban on the event.

Russian police on Saturday detained prominent opposition activist Lyubov Sobol ahead of a planned protest in Moscow to demand free elections. Thousands of Russian opposition protesters are expected to try and rally again in Moscow on Saturday despite a sweeping police crackdown and ban on the event. Sobol had called on people to attend the demonstration, which authorities in Moscow had refused to sanction. Sobol, who is on hunger strike, was detained in a taxi as she tried to make her way to the protest and driven off in a police van. The unauthorised march along Moscow's leafy boulevards will be the latest in a series of demonstrations after officials refused to let popular opposition candidates run in next month's city parliament elections. The local issue has boiled over into one of the worst political conflicts of recent years, with rallies of up to 22,000 people and police violence against demonstrators. More than 6,000 people said on Facebook they would take part in the march along Moscow's so-called Boulevard Ring on Saturday to "bring back the right to elections". Authorities installed barriers along the route ahead of the protest. Candidates needed to collect signatures from city residents to stand in the polls but officials said they were disqualified because some names were forged. But candidates, including allies of top Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny, insist their signatures were thrown out arbitrarily, and the whole vetting process was skewed against them. Many Muscovites said their signatures in support of opposition candidates were declared invalid for no reason. President Vladimir Putin has yet to comment on the situation in Moscow.

Russian police detain prominent opposition activist before protest

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Russian opposition to hold new protest march despite ban

Russian police detain prominent opposition activist before protest