Arrest of over 1,500 protesters in Russia draws international criticism

The United States, the European Union and human rights groups criticized the arrests of hundreds of protesters in Russia on Monday.

More than 1,500 supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny were arrested on Monday during demonstrations he called in various Russian cities to fight corruption.

An international non-governmental organization that monitors police activities says most of those detained were released on Tuesday.

Alexei Navalny, who was himself arrested in Moscow on Monday, has been sentenced to thirty days in prison on charges of holding an illegal rally.

Source: Radio Farda