A large-scale protest was undertaken seeking the release of Mr. Navalny, a leader of opposition forces who had criticized Russia's Putin administration and was in prison.
Meanwhile, in his speech, Putin emphasized his opposition to the West asking for Mr. Navalny's release.
Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny was killed last year after being attacked by chemical weapons nerve agents, but was reportedly in poor health after being imprisoned in prison in February. I will.
Opposition supporters protested all over Russia for the release of Mr. Navalny on the 21st, and in Vladivostok in the Far East, hundreds of people marched with voices such as "Free Navalny". ..
In addition, in the capital Moscow, the Ministry of Interior announced that about 6,000 people participated in the demonstration, and some participants were detained by the police who did not allow the demonstration.
According to Russian human rights groups, more than 1,200 people have been detained in at least 80 cities so far.
Regarding Mr. Navalny, Western countries have also imposed sanctions on Russia for release, which is a factor in worsening relations.
Regarding relations with Europe and the United States, President Putin emphasized his stance in a speech on the 21st, saying, "If we ruin our relations with Russia, we will take prompt and strict measures."
Protests for release in Europe
Protests calling for Navalny's release are widespread not only in Russia but also in Europe.
Of these, in the center of Paris, France, on the 21st, citizens with photos and placards of Mr. Navalny gathered and appealed from France to put pressure on Russia for release.
In London, England, about 250 people gathered in front of the Russian embassy called for Mr. Navalny's name and asked the Russian government for prompt release.
"The events that happened to Mr. Navalny are clearly criminal and absolutely unacceptable. He should be elected and President Putin should be in jail," said a man who participated in a protest in London. I was talking.