Putin critic detained after defying house arrest

A prominent critic of the Russian government has been detained after defying his house arrest to join protests.

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A prominent critic of the Russian government has been detained after defying his house arrest to join protests.

It came just hours after dissident Alexei Navalny was sentenced for embezzlement.

Sacha Payne has more.

(SFX)

Anti-government protestors in Moscow scuffle with police after Alexei Navalny's arrest.

The dissident posted a photo on Twitter on his way to the protests, but was soon detained, along with around 100 others.

This protestor told reporters, Russians have a right to freedom of expression.

(Russian, then translator) "I came here first of all because I am against any repression, against politically-motivated cases and prosecution for views. I think every person has the right to express his opinion."

Alexei Navalny had earlier been found guilty of corruption charges and sentenced to three and a half years of house arrest.

His younger brother Oleg, was sentenced to three and a half years in jail on the same charges.

Inside the court, Alexei condemned his brother's sentence.

(Russian, then translator) "I am ashamed of what you are doing. What are you putting him in jail for? What a disgusting act. All of this is being done in order to punish me even more."

Alexei Navalny was originally convicted on corruption charges in 2013 and given a suspended five year sentence.

In the latest case, a District court found the Navalny brothers guilty of defrauding 27 million roubles, or more than half-a-million Australian dollars, from a French cosmetics company.

Prosecutors argued that a company linked to the brothers offered freight services at above market prices and that Alexei Navalny used his "administrative resources" to force the cosmetics company to accept them.

Both brothers have called the charges fabricated.

After the sentence, Alexei Navalny rallied his supporters.

(Russian, then translator) "This power does not deserve to exist, it should be destroyed. I am calling today on everybody to take to the streets, I'm calling to take to the streets until the power which tortures innocent people is not removed."

But State Prosecutor Nadezhda Ignatova defended the ruling.

(Russian, then translator) "As was pronounced in the sentence, the court in general agreed with the view of the prosecution and found the Navalny brothers guilty of embezzlement and money laundering."

Alexei Navalny led mass protests against President Vladimir Putin three years ago, when tens of thousands took to the streets to protest against government corruption.

A lawyer for the brothers says they will appeal the latest sentences.


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