More than 1,600 protesters have been arrested in Russia two days before Vladimir Putin will be inaugurated for the fourth time as president.
Demonstrations were held in scores of cities across the country on May 5 and organiser Alexei Navalny was among those carried off by police.
The prominent anti-corruption campaigner had planned to stand against Putin in the election but was barred from taking part because of a previous fraud conviction.
Alexei Navalny is carried off by Russia officers in Moscow. He organised the protest which saw thousands of people gather in the capital ahead of Vladimir Putin’s inauguration as president
Russian police detain a protester at a demonstration in St.Petersburg. As many as 1,599 people were reportedly detained at rallies in 26 Russian cities
Protesters clash with police in Pushkin Square as Russians vent their anger about Putin’s re-election
A protester is carried off by officers armed with batons in Pushkin Square, Moscow
The same protester being detained by Russian police, who hold his wrists together
A demonstrator sits on a police car to stop it during a protest rally in St. Petersburg
A demonstrator carries a poster with a crossed-out photo of Putin during protests in St. Petersburg
Demonstrators carry posters featuring unflattering depictions of Putin in St. Petersburg
Navalny, whose exclusion from the contest was widely believed to be politically motivated, was seized by officers and dragged out of Moscow’s Pushkin Square.
Thousands had gathered there for an unauthorised protest under the slogan ‘He is not our czar’. Chants of ‘Putin is a thief!’ and ‘Russia will be free!’ could be heard.
Police used batons against the demonstrators, whose sheer number points to the strength of Russia’s opposition.
Fighters of National Liberation movement clash with protesters in Pushkin Square
A protester tries to brake through a police line during the demonstration in Pushkin Square
Russian police detain a protester at a demonstration in Pushkin Square
A protester writhes around as he is detained in St. Petersburg
A female protester is detained by officers armed with batons in St. Petersburg
A man is carried away by Russian officers in St. Petersburg ahead of Putin’s inauguration
Alexei Navalny speaks using a loudspeaker in Pushkin Square before he was detained by police
Russian police detain a protester in St. Petersburg as angry demonstrations swept the country
Some 1,599 were detained at demonstrations in 26 Russian cities, according to OVD-Info, an organisation which monitors political repression.
It said 702 were arrested in Moscow alone and another 232 in St. Petersburg. But Moscow police claim only about 300 people were detained in the capital.
Dmitry Nikitenko, who was among the crowd in Moscow, said: ‘I think that Putin isn’t worthy of leading this country.
‘He has been doing it for 18 years and has done nothing good for it. He should leave for good.’
Protesters shout anti-government slogans holding small posters reading ‘Russia is us!’ and ‘I’m over it’ in Pushkin Square
Russian police block protesters during a demonstration against Putin in St.Petersburg
Protesters shout anti-government slogans behind a police line in Pushkin Square
A protester jumps over a police barrier during the protest in Pushkin Square
Iraida Nikolaeva, whose son was detained in Moscow, ran after police screaming: ‘Let my son go! He did not do anything! Are you a human or not? Do you live in Russia or not?’
Navalny is reportedly going to be charged with disobeying police, an offence which could see him jailed for up to 15 days. It is not clear when he will appear in court.
The opposition figure, who frequently publishes anti-Putin blog posts and videos online, has served several multi-week stretches in jail on similar charges.
Russian police block protesters during a demonstration in St. Petersburg
Russian police detain a protester in Pushkin Square during country-wide demonstrations
Russian police carrying batons detain a protester in Pushkin Square
Russian police push protesters back in Pushkin Square as demonstrations swept the country
Protesters shout anti-government slogans behind a police line in Pushkin Square
He has called nationwide demonstrations several times in the past year and their sizeable turnout has rattled the Kremlin.
Putin, who won re-election in March with 77 per cent of the vote, will be inaugurated for a six-year term on May 7.
He has to date served as president for 12 years. His first two terms were from 2000 to 2008 and his third was from 2012 to 2018.
The 65-year-old will now be leader until at least 2024.
Protesters hold a Russian flag and chant anti-Putin slogans in Pushkin Square
Russian police push protesters back in Pushkin Square as they hold up banners and flags
Russian police push protesters back in Pushkin Square as they hold up banners and flags
A woman talks to police officers in riot gear blocking an area off during the protests in Moscow