PROTESTERS clashed with police after Putin critic Alexei Nalvany was jailed for three and a half years for leaving Russia after he was poisoned in a Novichock attack.
Protests erupted on Russia's streets last night following the news, as the UK, US and some EU member states called for the Putin critic's immediate release.
Police beat and arrested protesters who came out to support Navalny.
The activist was sentenced yesterday during a hearing in Moscow after being charged with violating his probation by travelling to Germany for life-saving treatment.
Navalny will serve two and a half years in prison, having already spent one year under house arrest.
In a statement posted to his official Facebook page, a spokesperson wrote: "[Three-and-a-half] years for Alexei Navalny - this is a sentence for our country.
"This will deprive Russia of the future for years to come. How many people will leave the country because of this?
"How many will be imprisoned following Alexei? We can't let this happen."
Navalny's allies called for an immediate protest in Moscow's Manezhnaya Square with riot police descending on the city landmark.
Pictures and video shows protesters being hauled away by riot police.
Around 679 people across central Moscow and St Petersburg were arrested, with half of that number detained in protests outside the courthouse.
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I PREDICT A RIOT Protesters clash with riot police in fury over jailing of Putin critic Alexei Navalny as UK and US demand his release
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