Alexei Navalny was arrested in January when he returned to Russia. (File)
Moscow:
Russian police on Wednesday searched the Saint Petersburg offices of jailed Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny and detained his top aide Lyubov Sobol and spokeswoman Kira Yarmysh, his allies said, ahead of nationwide protests in his support.
The morning police raids came ahead of protests planned in more than 100 cities across Russia on Wednesday evening in support of the hunger-striking Navalny, who is protesting his lack of medical treatment in prison.
"Searches were carried out from the very morning," his team in Saint Petersburg said on Twitter.
"They have already come for the office's cameraman, several volunteers and activists."