Russia expels European diplomats over Navalny protests

Russia has expelled three diplomats from Germany, Sweden and Poland for joining protests in support of opposition activist Alexei Navalny, who was jailed earlier this week.

The Russian foreign ministry said the three took part in “illegal demonstrations” on 23 January.  The diplomats’ home countries, UK, France and the EU have condemned the expulsions.

The expulsions were announced just a few hours after EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in Moscow.

Hundreds of thousands of people took part in protests in support of Mr Navalny across Russia on 23 and 31 January, and thousands were arrested.

Mr Navalny, 44, is a political activist who has campaigned against corruption and Mr Putin since 2011.

He also accused Mr Putin of organising the poison attack that nearly killed him last August.

Edited by Olajumoke Adeleke