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On March 26, 2017, thousands of Russians rallied across the country to protest government corruption, in one of the largest opposition demonstrations in years. Demonstrators defied bans by authorities and were arrested by the hundreds.

Alexei Navalny, a prominent critic of Russia’s President Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev, called for the protests after posting reports accusing Medvedev of controlling properties far beyond what he could afford on his government salary, including mansions, yachts, and vineyards.

Navalny was also arrested, and has now been fined and jailed for 15 days for organizing the rallies.

Police officers detain a man during an unauthorized anti- corruption rally in central Moscow on March 26, 2017.

People take part in an anti-corruption rally in Pushkin Square on Tverskaya Street on March 26, 2017, in Moscow.

Law enforcement officers line up along a street as they block a rally in Moscow, Russia, on March 26, 2017.

Protesters gather in St.Petersburg, Russia, on March 26, 2017.

A man shouts anti-government slogans in downtown Moscow.

Opposition supporters take part in an anti-corruption rally in central Moscow.

Riot police officers stand guard blocking a street during an unauthorised anti-corruption rally in central Moscow.

Russian riot police detain an opposition activist in front of the Pushkin monument at Pushkinskaya Square, March 26, 2017 in Moscow.

Police detain protesters in Pushkin Square, on March 26, 2017.

Police detain a protester in downtown Moscow.

Police officers detain an opposition supporter during a rally in Vladivostok, Russia, on March 26, 2017.

Protesters gesture from a police bus after being detained during an anti-corruption rally in central Moscow.

Activists hold a protest rally in Pushkin monument Square in Moscow.

Protesters gather at Marsivo Field in St.Petersburg, Russia.

Riot police watch the protestors in St. Petersburg.

A law enforcement officer climbs a lamp pole to detain opposition supporters during a rally in Moscow.

Riot policemen detain an activist at the Pushkin monument in Moscow.

Riot police detain a journalist during a protest rally in St.Petersburg, Russia.

Riot police detain an opposition activist at Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow.

Riot police detain an opposition activist in Moscow's Pushkinskaya Square.

Protesters shout slogans at Dvortsovaya Square in St. Petersburg.

A woman argues with law enforcement officers in Moscow.

Police officers detain protesters in central Moscow.

Police help a wounded comrade in Pushkin Square in Moscow.

Riot police detain an activist in front of the Pushkin monument in Moscow.

An opposition supporter gestures as he blocks a police van transporting detained anti-corruption opposition figure Alexei Navalny in Moscow.

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny is escorted upon his arrival for a hearing at the Tverskoi court in Moscow.