Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been detained by police after breaking house arrest to join an opposition rally in Moscow earlier today.
Writing on his Twitter account Mr Navalny said: "I was detained, but they won't be able to detain everyone."
Over a hundred protesters were detained by police.
A Russian court gave him a suspended sentence for embezzling money, but jailed his brother for three-and-a-half years in a case seen as part of a campaign to stifle dissent in the country.
Hundreds of Mr Navalny’s supporters gathered in front of the Kremlin but the numbers were modest compared to previous protests as Russians prepare to celebrate the New Year.
The opposition leader also said on his Twitter account he broke house arrest to join the rally.
The authorities have not given permission for the rally, so it is considered illegal and there may be arrests. Police fenced off the area and a nearby metro station was partially closed.
US condemns Navalny sentences
The US State Department has strongly condemned the suspended sentence handed to Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and the jailing of his brother, Oleg, by a Russian court, calling it a "disturbing development".
"The decision is a disturbing development in our view," State Department spokeswoman Jeff Rathke told a briefing.
"It appears to be designed to further punish and deter political activism."
The Navalny brothers, Alexei and Oleg, were accused of stealing 30m Russian roubles (€433,000) from two firms, including an affiliate of the French cosmetics company Yves Rocher between 2008 and 2012.
Mr Navalny fronted mass protests against President Vladimir Putin three years ago, when tens of thousands took to the streets in Moscow and St Petersburg to protest against corruption in his government and inner circle.
Opposition figures claimed jailing Mr Navalny risked a new wave of protests so he was being punished through his brother instead.
The European Union said the verdict appeared to be politically motivated and a German official said the ruling was a blow to civil society.
