Hundreds arrested amid protests in Russia demanding Alexei Navalny’s release

Police officers block entry to the central square in Vladivostok, Russia (Aleksander Khitrov/AP)

Thousands of people have taken to the streets across Russia to demand the release of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny, keeping up the wave of nationwide protests that have rattled the Kremlin.

The authorities mounted a massive effort to stem the tide of demonstrations after tens of thousands of people rallied across the country the previous weekend in the largest and most widespread show of discontent the country has seen in years.