Top Navalny associates detained ahead of protests across Russia

Alexei Navalny (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File)

Two close associates of Alexei Navalny have been detained ahead of protests planned to support the imprisoned Russian opposition leader, who has been on a hunger strike since March 31.

Mr Navalny’s team had called on Sunday for nationwide protests after reports about his health deteriorating in prison. Russian authorities have stressed that the demonstrations were not authorised and warned against participating in them.