Thousands of Russians took to the streets across the country Sunday to protest against corruption and demand the resignation of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, in rallies called by opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Navalny was detained in Moscow while walking on central Moscow’s Tverskaya Street accompanied with supporters.

The area was part of an unsanctioned rally.

According to a Reuters’ reporter, who saw Navalny being arrested, police put him in a truck that was surrounded by hundreds of protesters who tried to open its doors and halt the arrest.

Protesters had plans to hold unsanctioned rallies in Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Russian police also detained dozens of protesters on Sunday in what appeared to be the largest coordinated outpouring of dissatisfaction since the massive 2011-2012 demonstrations following a fraud-tainted parliamentary election.

“It’s scary, but if everyone is afraid, no one would come out onto the streets,” 19-year-old Yana Aksyonova told the Associated Press and explained why she attended.

Navalny called the demonstrations after publishing a detailed report earlier this month accusing Medvedev of amassing a collection of mansions, yachts and vineyards through a shadowy network of non-profit organisations.

The report has been viewed over 11 million times on YouTube. Medvedev has not reacted to it so far.

“People are unhappy with the fact that there’s been no investigation (of the corruption allegations),” Moscow protester Ivan Gronstein said.

Navalny said on his official website that 99 Russian cities planned to protest, but that in 72 of them local authorities did not give permission.

The Kremlin critic, who has announced his intention to run for president in next year’s election, has been rallying supporters in major Russian cities in recent weeks. (VOA)

Update news