Russian opposition leader Navalny in hospital after severe allergic reaction

Alexei Navalny was sentenced to 30 days in jail for calling protest in Moscow

Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny. Photograph: Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA
Russian opposition activist Alexei Navalny. Photograph: Sergei Ilnitsky/EPA

Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been admitted to hospital after suffering a serious allergic attack while in detention, his spokeswoman said.

Kira Yarmysh said the 43-year-old, who was sentenced to 30 days in jail on Wednesday for calling for Saturday's unsanctioned protest in Moscow, was taken from the capital's detention facility to a hospital on Sunday morning.

Ms Yarmysh said Mr Navalny, who did not previously have any allergies, arrived at the hospital with severe facial swelling and red rashes on his skin.

Mr Navalny galvanised the anti-government protesters who rallied all day on Saturday against the exclusion of independent candidates from the September 8th ballot for Moscow City Council.

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A Russian group that monitors police arrests said on Sunday that nearly 1,400 people were detained in a police crackdown on Saturday’s protest, the largest number of detentions at a rally in the Russian capital this decade. – AP