Moscow police arrest allies of opposition leader Navalny

Police officers in Moscow on Wednesday launched a series of raids on apartments and offices linked to jailed Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny's family and associates, arresting his brother Oleg.

Locations searched included Navalny's apartment, where his brother Oleg was arrested, and a rented apartment where Navalny's wife Yulia had been living.

Yulia Navalnaya's lawyer Veronika Polyakova told journalists that police did not allow her to attend the raids, which she said violated Navalnaya's rights of defence.

Other locations raided by police included the offices of Navalny's anti-corruption foundation and the studio which produces his videos and online broadcasts.

Police also searched apartment of Head of the Alliance of Doctors Union Anastasia Vasilyeva, who was filmed playing the piano as officers filled her home.

Police have not commented on the searches, but Navalny's associates said on social media that they were connected to alleged violations of epidemiological regulations from last week's mass protest in Moscow.

However, Navalny's team have claimed that "Putin's crazy fear" is behind the raids.

The searches came ahead of planned protests by Navalny's supporters on Sunday.

Demonstrations calling for his release took place in more than 100 cities across Russia last Saturday, with nearly 4,000 people reported arrested during the protests.

(Image Credit: AP)