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Ekaterina Odintsova, Nizhny Novgorod, Boris Nemtsov, Weight loss

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny detained after returning to Moscow

Opposition leader arrested at Sheremetyevo airport after flying back from Germany

Russian opposition politician Alexei Navalny has been detained at Sheremetyevo airport after returning to Moscow from Germany.

Navalny, a prominent critic of President Vladimir Putin, was arrested by police as he passed through passport control at the airport.

The arrest comes after Navalny spent five months in Germany recovering from a nerve agent poisoning that he claims was carried out by the Russian state.

Navalny's return to Russia

Navalny's return to Russia was widely anticipated, and it was seen as a test of the Kremlin's tolerance for dissent.

In the weeks leading up to his return, Navalny had repeatedly stated that he would not be deterred from returning to Russia, despite the risks.

Navalny's supporters had planned to greet him at the airport, but police sealed off the area and prevented them from entering.

Russian reaction to Navalny's return

The Russian government has not commented on Navalny's arrest, but it has previously warned that he would be detained if he returned to Russia.

In a statement, the Russian Foreign Ministry said that Navalny was “wanted by law enforcement agencies in Russia” and that he would “be detained and served with a sentence” upon his return.

The Russian government has accused Navalny of being a “foreign agent” and of working for the interests of other countries.

International reaction to Navalny's arrest

The international community has condemned Navalny's arrest, and it has called for his immediate release.

The United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union have all issued statements condemning Navalny's arrest and calling for his release.

The United States has also said that it will consider imposing sanctions on Russia if Navalny is not released.

What's next for Navalny?

It is unclear what will happen to Navalny now that he has been arrested.

He is likely to be charged with violating the terms of his parole, which he was sentenced to in 2014 for embezzlement.

If convicted, Navalny could face up to three and a half years in prison.

Conclusion

The arrest of Alexei Navalny is a major setback for the Russian opposition movement.

It is a clear sign that the Kremlin is not willing to tolerate dissent, and it is likely to have a chilling effect on other opposition figures.

However, Navalny's arrest is also a sign of his courage and determination, and it is likely to further galvanize his supporters.