After spending less than 24 hours in jail, Russia’s main opposition leader, Aleksei A. Navalny, was freed by the prison authorities. Kremlin’s initial comments reiterated the longstanding position that the president and the country’s politics do not influence the courts in Russia. 

“The president does not make and cannot make any judgments about court rulings,” Dmistri S. Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, told reporters, according to the Interfax news agency.

Nonetheless, the incident set off speculations regarding the motivations behind the imprisonment and release of President Putin’s main antagonist. Navalny, an anti-corruption blogger and Moscow mayoral candidate, was released by the request of the same prosecutor who had asked for his arrest. 

On Thursday evening, thousands of supporters of Mr. Navalny organized an unsanctioned rally in Manezh Square near Kremlin, shouting, “Freedom!” and “Navalny,” while blocking traffic. They insist that their actions forced officials to free the opposition leader. 

Other analysts suggest that his release was due to disagreements and dismay at the highest levels of government. 

Kremlin’s official reason for Mr. Navalny’s release is his recently declared candidacy for mayor of Moscow. However, in order to hold public office, his conviction needs to be reversed. If not reversed, he will be free but with no real chance of having the ability to serve. 

ALSO SEE: Why was Alexei Navalny released on bail?

 

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