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Russia Warns Navalny Supporters Not to Attend Sunday Protests

Associated Press

   MOSCOW - Russian police have issued a strong warning against
   participating in protests planned for Sunday to call for the release of
   jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, the Kremlin's most prominent
   foe.

   The warning came amid detentions of Navalny associates and opposition
   journalists and a police plan to restrict movement Sunday in the center
   of Moscow.

   Navalny was arrested January 17 after flying back to Russia from
   Germany, where he had spent five months recovering from nerve-agent
   poisoning. His detention sparked nationwide protests one week ago in
   about 100 cities; nearly 4,000 people were reported arrested.

   The next demonstration in Moscow is planned for Lubyanka Square. The
   Federal Security Service, which Navalny claims arranged to have him
   poisoned with a Soviet-era nerve agent on behalf of the Kremlin, is
   headquartered in the square. The Russian government has denied a role
   in the 44-year-old's poisoning.

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