Russian Opposition Leader Freed Temporarily to Await Appeal

Local Editor

A Russian court temporarily released opposition leader Alexei Navalny from custody on Friday, but placed him under travel restrictions, while he awaits the outcome of an appeal against his sentence to five years in jail.

Prosecutors unexpectedly asked for Navalny, one of President Vladimir Putin's biggest critics, to be allowed to await the appeal decision at home in Moscow after his conviction on theft charges in the city of Kirov.

The move could be intended to appease opposition activists who protested in their thousands against the verdict in several cities on Thursday, and to head off the danger of social unrest. Dozens of people were detained during the rallies.

Following Thursday's ruling Navalny's supporters gathered in central Moscow's Manezhnaya Square to protest what they condemn as a politically motivated trial. The court addressed Navalny's allegations of political foul play as "groundless" during Thursday's hearing.

According to restrictions imposed by the court, Navalny will not be permitted to leave the Russian capital upon his return home. The district court where he is being tried is located in the town of Kirov, around a kilometer East of Moscow.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team