Supporters of opponent Alexei Navalny hold up his photo, January 17, 2021. -

Sergei Bobylev / TASS / Sipa USA / SIP

The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Western demands to release the opponent Alexeï Navalny, imprisoned since his return to Russia, and warned his supporters who intend to demonstrate at his call this weekend in Russia.

The 44-year-old anti-corruption activist was arrested on Sunday upon his return from Germany, where he was recovering from his suspected poisoning in August, for which he holds Vladimir Putin responsible, despite multiple denials by the authorities.

Incarcerated until February 15

The main Western powers have called for his “immediate” release, asking Moscow to explain these poisoning accusations and to investigate this alleged assassination attempt.

During a press briefing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow “does not plan to take into consideration” Western calls to release the opponent.

"It is a totally internal matter and we will not allow anyone to interfere in it," he added.

Alexeï Navalny was imprisoned at least until February 15 as part of a procedure for violation of a judicial control and detained in Moscow, in fourteen, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As soon as the imprisonment was announced, the opponent and his supporters called for demonstrations on Saturday, January 23, across the country.

The Kremlin spokesman ruled that such calls and gatherings could amount to "illegal activities".

Calls to come together

Any demonstration requires the agreement of the authorities in Russia.

In addition, in a large part of the territory, including Moscow, mass gatherings are prohibited due to the pandemic.

A right-hand man of the opponent, Leonid Volkov, indicated that no request for authorization will be filed, the Russians having "a constitutional right" to demonstrate.

Gatherings are planned in many cities, from Moscow and St. Petersburg in the West, to Khabarovsk in the Far East via Ekaterinburg in the Urals.

Unauthorized opposition demonstrations often lead to brutal repression and numerous arrests.

Monday evening, at least 73 people were arrested during improvised support actions, according to the specialized NGO OVD-Info.

Alexei Navalny has long been in the crosshairs of the Russian authorities.

He rose to fame with surveys published online into the corruption of Vladimir Putin's elites and entourage.

Its notoriety nevertheless remains limited outside the most important urban centers and among the least connected generations.

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