03:29Protesters marched in Berlin on Saturday calling for the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
According to police reports, around 2,000 people joined the so-called 'Freedom for Alexei Navalny' march that started around 2 PM (13:00 GMT) in Berlin-Mitte, past the Russian embassy and ended under the Brandenburg Gate.
"We are coming out for all in Russia who aren't afraid to come out onto the streets," said Anna, a Russian protester. "I think he [Navalny] was arrested illegally," Vitaly, another protester said.
Navalny was detained on January 17 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he spent nearly five months recovering from an alleged Novichok nerve agent attack.
After Navalny's arrest his associates have called on people to join the demonstrations in dozens of Russian cities on Saturday. Vitaly was present at the protest in Berlin, "First and foremost I am here today for the freedom of Alexey Navalny. I think he was arrested illegally."
On Monday the anti-corruption campaigner was jailed for 30 days for breaching parole conditions on a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. Navalny said the court ruling held inside the police station was a mockery. His parole review hearing is currently scheduled to take place on January 29.
Germany: Around 2,000 march in Berlin to protest Navalny's arrest
Protesters marched in Berlin on Saturday calling for the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
According to police reports, around 2,000 people joined the so-called 'Freedom for Alexei Navalny' march that started around 2 PM (13:00 GMT) in Berlin-Mitte, past the Russian embassy and ended under the Brandenburg Gate.
"We are coming out for all in Russia who aren't afraid to come out onto the streets," said Anna, a Russian protester. "I think he [Navalny] was arrested illegally," Vitaly, another protester said.
Navalny was detained on January 17 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he spent nearly five months recovering from an alleged Novichok nerve agent attack.
After Navalny's arrest his associates have called on people to join the demonstrations in dozens of Russian cities on Saturday. Vitaly was present at the protest in Berlin, "First and foremost I am here today for the freedom of Alexey Navalny. I think he was arrested illegally."
On Monday the anti-corruption campaigner was jailed for 30 days for breaching parole conditions on a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. Navalny said the court ruling held inside the police station was a mockery. His parole review hearing is currently scheduled to take place on January 29.
Protesters marched in Berlin on Saturday calling for the release of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny.
According to police reports, around 2,000 people joined the so-called 'Freedom for Alexei Navalny' march that started around 2 PM (13:00 GMT) in Berlin-Mitte, past the Russian embassy and ended under the Brandenburg Gate.
"We are coming out for all in Russia who aren't afraid to come out onto the streets," said Anna, a Russian protester. "I think he [Navalny] was arrested illegally," Vitaly, another protester said.
Navalny was detained on January 17 upon his return to Russia from Germany, where he spent nearly five months recovering from an alleged Novichok nerve agent attack.
After Navalny's arrest his associates have called on people to join the demonstrations in dozens of Russian cities on Saturday. Vitaly was present at the protest in Berlin, "First and foremost I am here today for the freedom of Alexey Navalny. I think he was arrested illegally."
On Monday the anti-corruption campaigner was jailed for 30 days for breaching parole conditions on a suspended sentence from a 2014 embezzlement conviction. Navalny said the court ruling held inside the police station was a mockery. His parole review hearing is currently scheduled to take place on January 29.