Originally posted by the Voice of America.
Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America,
a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in
the public domain.


Russian Opposition Leader Navalny Released From Jail, Promptly Re-Arrested

by VOA News

   Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was released from jail Monday
   and then was promptly detained again.

   Navalny had just ended a 30-day jail sentence for staging an
   unsanctioned demonstration when he was re-arrested.

   He has served a number of weeks-long jail terms in recent years for
   organizing protests.

   His arrest Monday comes amid a recent wave of demonstrations in Russia
   against government-backed pension reforms that include a hike in
   retirement age to 60 for women and 65 for men. Hundreds of people were
   detained nationwide during the pension reform protests.

   Navalny has faced a string of charges for his opposition activism. In
   March, he was barred from participating in the country's presidential
   election because of a conviction on financial crimes, charges he
   contends were fabricated.