Lithuania rejects Russia’s demand for Navalny ally to be arrested

Alexei Navalny (Babuskinsky District Court Press Service via AP)

A Moscow court has ordered the arrest of an exiled ally of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, but Lithuania, where the associate lives, has rejected the demand to take him into custody.

The action against Leonid Volkov by the Basmanny District Court was seen as part of an effort by authorities to squash demonstrations demanding the release of Mr Navalny, a top Kremlin foe who was detained on January 17.