Opponent and critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Alexei Navalny landed in Moscow on Sunday night. His flight was diverted to another airport. After he landed at Sheremetyevo airport of Moscow in a flight operated by Russian airline Pobeda, owned by state controlled Aeroflot, he was detained by the Russian police.
On a ruling in the court, Navalny termed it a mockery and urged his follower to initiate protests.
Navalny is being held captive at a police station in Moscow. Many of his followers gathered outside the police station and asked for Putin's resignation and Navalny's immediate release.
Navalny has been accused of violating the parole terms of a suspended sentence of embezzlement. Previously also he said these charges were politically motivated.
A Russian judge ordered Navalny's detention until February on the charges of violating the terms of his parole. Another hearing in the case will be on January 29 to decide if his suspended sentence of 3.5 years should be turned into a jail term.
In a video address from Russia's detention, Navalny said, "Don't be afraid. Take to the streets, not for me, but for yourselves, for your future."
According to monitoring group OVD-Info, more than 70 people were detained on Monday comprising of Navalny supporters and journalists.
Read More: Alexei Navalny: Opponent of Putin detained in Russia; US & EU demand release