Kremlin Critic Navalny Arrested After Russia Protests

Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny was declared guilty late Monday after repeatedly calling for mass protests and unlawful rallies. He has been sentenced to 30 days of detention.

Anti-corruption demonstrations flooded cities across Russia on Monday, which the 41-year-old activist designed in order to gain support for his bid to unseat President Vladimir Putin during next year’s election.

Chants such as “Putin out” and “Russia without thieves” could be heard thoughout the streets, coming from the mouths of many teens and those in their early twenties — the generation that only knows of having Putin as a leader.

About 1,400 arrests were made amid brawls with police officers and reports of tear gas being used. The same protestors, Navalny praised, referring to them as “brave, wonderful people.”

“I am very pleased that people came out, I am proud that I am a part of this movement in which brave, wonderful people, are not afraid to go out on the streets. Even under the threat of some detentions and so on,” he said.

In court in Moscow, Navalny accused the judge of helping the policy justify his arrest. Yulia, his wife, reported that Navalny was detained in his Moscow home before he had the chance to join the thousands of protestors.

After his sentencing, the opposition leader took to Twitter to share the aftermath of his arrest.

“30 days. Not only they robbed the whole country, but I’ll miss Depeche Mode concert in Moscow because of them,” Navalny tweeted.

Russian authorities declared the protests as being illegal and warned there would be repercussions for those who joined.

“Law enforcement agencies will be forced to take all necessary measures to stop provocations, mass unrest or any actions leading to a violation of public security, creating conditions for threatening the life and health of citizens,” the prosecutor general said in a statement.

White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer believed the “peaceful protestors” should be released.

“The United States strongly condemns the detention of hundreds of peaceful protesters throughout Russia,” Spicer said, also referring to it as “an affront to core democratic values.”

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