Russian opposition leader Navalny gets 30-day sentence over anti-Putin protests

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been sentenced to 30 days behind bars for organising anti-Putin protests.

Navalny had organised protests ahead of President Vladimir Putin's fourth inauguration.

Navalny was found guilty of arranging "unauthorised protests". He also faces a separate charge of disobeying police orders. 

Navalny, in court, argued that he had constitutional right to hold a protest and that his detention was illegal.

41-year-old Navalny called for rallies across Russia on May 5 to protest Vladimir Putin's continuation as the President for the fourth term. 

According to reports, over 1500 protesters were detained in more than 25 Russian cities during anti-Putin protests called "He's not our Tsar".

(With inputs from AFP)