Russia cracks down on anti-Putin protests

Russian officials on Sunday released opposition leader Alexei Navalny hours after police arrested him, as thousands of demonstrators marched in cities across the country to protest the presidential election scheduled for March. Navalny had called for the protests and encouraged people to boycott the polls. Riot police wrestled him to the ground and pulled him into a police van shortly after he arrived at a protest in Moscow. “This means nothing,” Navalny tweeted from the van. “You are not rallying for me, but for yourselves and your future.” Police said he violated demonstration laws, a charge that could carry up to 30 years in jail. Navalny’s lawyer, Olga Mikhailova, confirmed his release and said he would face charges in court at a later date. Fewer opposition supporters joined the rallies than participated in two others last year, but demonstrators took to the streets in more than 50 cities. Some chanted, “Putin is a thief!” and others held signs that read, “Six more years? No thanks.” Authorities arrested more than 200 protesters across the country.