Russian opposition leader jailed after anti-government demonstrations

Alexei Navalny, the leader of the opposition in Russia and likely opponent to Vladimir Putin in next year’s election, has been jailed following some of the country’s largest protests in years.

Navalny was sent to prison for 15 days and fined 20,000 roubles (£280) for his part in a mass protest which took place on Sunday in Moscow.

The Russian presidential election is due to take place in 2018, with Putin the overwhelming favourite to retain his position for another six years.

Thousands took part in the demonstration which included to several major cities across Russia at the weekend, as Navalny criticised the actions of minister Dmitry Medvedev, who is alleged of corruption following the release of a video from Navalny and associates. Rallies took place in the likes of Moscow, St.Petersburg and Makhachkala despite the majority being outlawed by the government.

Navalny was detained during the rally in Moscow, as protesters clashed with police in an attempt to free him.

The EU called on Russian authorities to release others that are currently being held in relation to the protests.

"We call on the Russian authorities to abide fully by the international commitments it has made, including in the Council of Europe … to uphold these rights and to release without delay the peaceful demonstrators that have been detained," the EU said.

Russian government spokesperson Dmitry Peskov rejected the calls for their release, adding that some young people had been paid to join the demonstrations.