Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny began a nationwide day of protest against the authorities on Sunday; calling on voters to boycott what they said was a rigged presidential election on March 18. More than 1,000 people took to one of Moscow’s central streets. /VCG Photo

The protesters vented their frustration that anti-corruption campaigner Alexei Navalny has been barred from standing in the March presidential polls, due to his conviction of fraud. /VCG Photo

Alexei Navalny was detained on Sunday shortly after protests began and has been released from police custody without charge late on Sunday. Across the country, more than 240 people were arrested, according to an independent monitoring group. /VCG Photo

The protests Sunday were unusual in their scope, with Navalny supporters organizing some 115 events across the country. But they appeared smaller than his demonstrations last June, when Russian news media estimated that at least 50,000 people protested nationwide. /VCG Photo