In Photos: Russia Cracks Down on Navalny Protesters Following Prison Ruling
Russians in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities took to the streets Tuesday in protest of opposition leader Alexei Navalny being sentenced to 2.8 years in prison.
Despite hundreds of riot police stationed throughout central Moscow and St. Petersburg warning people not to stage unauthorized protests, thousands of Navalny's supporters rallied in spontaneous groups throughout the night.
Video footage showed police brutally beating and detaining protesters and journalists, sparking widespread condemnation.
Here's a look at images from throughout the night in Russia's two largest cities:
Despite hundreds of riot police stationed throughout central Moscow and St. Petersburg warning people not to stage unauthorized protests, thousands of Navalny's supporters rallied in spontaneous groups throughout the night.
Video footage showed police brutally beating and detaining protesters and journalists, sparking widespread condemnation.
Here's a look at images from throughout the night in Russia's two largest cities:
Protesters marched through central Moscow, chanting slogans like “Russia without Putin!” and “Putin is a thief!”
Kirill Kudryavtsev / AFP
Many of the protesters were young people.
Olga Maltseva / AFP
Two St. Petersburg dogs and their owners were among those detained.
Alexander Demyanchuk / TASS
Late-night horseback riders pass riot police along Nevsky Prospekt, St. Petersburg's central avenue.
Alexander Demyanchuk / TASS
Riot police line up along Tverskaya Street, Moscow's main roadway leading to the Kremlin. Following the verdict, police closed three metro stations close to the Kremlin.
Mikhail Tereschenko / TASS
German Chancellor Angela Merkel condemned "the violence against peaceful demonstrators" in a statement Tuesday night.
Sergei Bobylev / TASS
Riot police march past Kazan Cathedral in central St. Petersburg.
Peter Kovalyov / TASS
The Kremlin has called the police response to protests "justified."
Alexander Nemenov / AFP
