Dozens of demonstrators have reportedly been arrested at protests across Russia, as thousands took to the streets Saturday in a show of support for jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny. The rallies, timed to coincide with Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 65th birthday, were held in about 80 Russian cities, with most of the events unauthorized by police. The protests came in response to Navalny’s appeal for supporters to take to the streets in a bid to force authorities to let him run in next year’s presidential election. Electoral officials say he’s been barred from running due to a conviction in a case Navalny has said was politically motivated. He is currently serving a 20-day jail term for violating rules on public meetings. While expressing support for Navalny, protesters also railed against Putin. Several hundred protesters in downtown Moscow demanded the president’s ouster, chanting “Putin, go away!” and “Russia will be free!”
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