In his first trip out of Moscow in three years, Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has visited Siberia's biggest city to urge voters to participate in primaries that will choose opposition candidates for regional elections.
Navalny's Sunday rally in a Novosibirsk park attracted several hundred people, including rowdy protesters who shouted abuse and accused him of being a U.S. spy.
Since 2012, Navalny had not been allowed to leave Moscow because of trials for corruption charges. Although convicted in both cases, he avoided prison. His brother was sent to prison in one of the cases.
The primaries are to be held June 14-15 to pick candidates for the September election in several Russian regions.
Navalny told the rally "I'm here to convince you to put your trust in democracy."
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