PROTESTORS have taken to the streets in
Russia ahead of
Vladimir Putin’s inauguration to demonstrate against his “Tsar-like” rule.
There were chaotic scenes in
Moscow after opposition leader
Alexei Navalny, who had called for
protests in more than 90 towns and cities, was arrested after arriving at a rally.
Riot police used batons to force their way into the crowd and arrest Mr Navalny.
His supporters have denounced the detention as “illegal”.
Authorities usually view anti-Putin protests as unauthorised, with police claiming the time and location of rallies was not signed off by them first.
Officers have broken up similar demonstrations in the past, sometimes heavy-handedly.
Mr Putin won a landslide re-election victory in March to secure his fourth term as president and keep him in power until 2024.
Supporters of the leader say he has brought stability to the country and boosted the economy while standing up to the West.
But critics say the president, who is the longest-serving since Soviet dictator Josef Stalin, is an autocrat who has spent years consolidating his power.
Mr Navalny has been arrested and jailed on multiple occasions for organising similar events in the past.
Today’s protests were due to start in cities including Moscow and St Petersburg, at noon BST.
Ahead of today’s demonstrations, a message from opposition leader Alexei Navalny said: "If you think that he is not our Tsar, take to the streets of your cities.
"We will force the authorities, made up of swindlers and thieves, to reckon with the millions of citizens who did not vote for Putin."