Russian opposition figure sentenced to 20 days

MOSKOW

Days before a planned protest, a Moscow court sentenced opposition figure Alexey Navalny to 20 days in prison for his calls to attend "unauthorized" rallies.

Navalny, the founder of the Anti-Corruption Foundation and head of Russia’s opposition Progress Party, had been detained last week.

Speaking in court, Navalny said his arrest was a "gift" for Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"We do nothing illegal," he added.

He was planning a rally in St Petersburg on Oct. 7, Putin's 65th birthday.