RUSSIAN authorities detained Alexei Navalny, a fierce critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, in central Moscow on Sunday as his supporters staged protests throughout the country, calling for a boycott of the upcoming presidential election. In power as president or prime minister for nearly two decades, Putin is almost certain to win another six-year term as president on March 18. Navalny and his supporters hope the election will be undermined by a low voter turnout. Municipal authorities have emphasized that the protests were not approved and threatened legal action against Navalny. Protesters in Moscow chanted, “Putin is a thief,” and, “Russia without Putin.” Authorities blasted a message via loudspeaker, asking for the “dear citizens” to leave.

Source: Nigerian Tribune January 28, 2018 19:07 UTC