Russian police detain opposition leader, hundreds of protesters

Russian police detained on 26 March 2017 hundreds of protesters across the country, including opposition leader Alexei Navalny, after thousands took to the streets to demonstrate against corruption and demand the resignation of Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.

The protests were seen as the biggest since the wave of anti-government demonstratins in 2011/2012. The European Union condemned the detention of protesters and opposition leaders and the attempt to restrict freedom of expression.

Euro|Topics wrote 'The Russian protests have taken many observers by surprise. For the first time in years, ... thousands of predominantly young people took to the streets of numerous cities to demonstrate against corruption. The Putin generation is rising up to fight for its future ... But some voice doubts that it poses a real threat to the government'.

• Primary Source

EU: EEAS: Statement, 27.03.17: Statement by the Spokesperson on the anti-corruption demonstrations across the Russian Federation https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/23477/

BBC News, 27.03.17: Russia protests: Detained Navalny demands PM be questioned http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39403714

TIME, 26.03.17: This Is What a Nationwide Protest Against the Russian Government Looks Like http://time.com/4713452/russian-protests-alexei-navalny-photo-gallery/

The Guardian, 27.03.17: [Opinion] Russia is the house that Vladimir Putin built – and he’ll never abandon it https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/mar/27/russia-house-vladimir-putin-built-never-abandon

The Guardian, 27.03.17: Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny in court after arrest https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/27/russian-opposition-leader-alexei-navalny-at-court-following-arrest

BBC News, 27.03.17: Russia protests: Opposition leader Navalny and hundreds of others held http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39398305

The Independent, 26.03.17: Russia protests: Police arrest hundreds of anti-corruption demonstrators as thousands take to streets http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/russia-protests-police-arrest-hundreds-anti-corruption-demonstrators-thousands-moscow-alexei-navalny-a7651171.html

The New York Times, 26.03.17: Aleksei Navalny, Top Putin Critic, Arrested as Protests Flare in Russia https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/26/world/europe/moscow-protests-aleksei-navalny.html

Politico, 26.03.17: State Dept. condemns crackdown on Russia protests http://www.politico.com/story/2017/03/sasse-russia-protests-trump-putin-236524

Politico, 27.03.17: EU calls on Russia to release protesters ‘without delay’ http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-calls-on-russia-to-release-protesters-without-delay/

RT, 26.03.17: Thousands take to streets in opposition rallies across Russia https://www.rt.com/news/382381-russia-opposition-protests-detentions/

RT, 26.03.17: Hundreds detained at unsanctioned opposition rally in central Moscow https://www.rt.com/news/382342-opposition-protest-russia-police/

Politico, 26.03.17: Massive opposition protests challenge Putin http://www.politico.eu/article/massive-opposition-protests-challenge-putin-alexei-navalny/

TASS, 27.03.17: US calls for release of detained participants in unsanctioned rallies across Russia http://tass.com/world/937651

EUObserver, 27.03.17: Tens of thousands challenge Putin's authority https://euobserver.com/foreign/137387

Euro|Topics: Debates, March 2017: How big will the protests in Russia get? http://www.eurotopics.net/en/176757/how-big-will-the-protests-in-russia-get

ESO: Background information: Statement by the Spokesperson on the verdict in the trial of Alexei Navalny, February 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/statement-by-the-spokesperson-on-the-verdict-in-the-trial-of-alexei-navalny/

BBC News, 27.03.17: Russia jails protests leader Alexei Navalny for 15 days http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-39404985

Deutsche Welle, 27.03.17: Young Kremlin critics push for change http://dw.com/p/2a4iM

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 28.03.17: What the EU Can Do for Belarus and Russia http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68419?lang=en

ECFR: Commentary, 29.03.17: Russia protests: this time it is different http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_four_ways_navalnys_protests_go_beyond_bolotnaya_7259

Deutsche Welle, 10.04.17: Russia releases opposition leader Alexei Navalny http://p.dw.com/p/2axnX

Spiegel Online International, 22.04.17: Interview with Alexei Navalny: 'The Kremlin Blocks Every Alternative to Putin' http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/interview-with-alexei-navalny-about-protests-and-putin-a-1143752.html

ZOiS: ZOiS Spotlight, No.8, May 2017: Enraged young Russians? http://en.zois-berlin.de/publications/zois-spotlight/enraged-young-russians/

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