The Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny is plotting to spoil Vladimir Putin’s 65th birthday celebrations with nationwide protest rallies on Saturday, including in the Russian president’s home town. “Let Putin listen and go into deserved retirement,” Navalny said in an angry message dictated from prison in which he likened the president to a turnip. “He’s been in power for 18 years, which is long enough.”

Navalny, 41, an anti-corruption lawyer who wants to run for president next year, urged his supporters to demand that the Kremlin allow genuine political competition. The opposition leader’s campaign team says protests are being organised in 80 cities across Russia. The rallies are the latest stage in Navalny’s months-long bid to force his way on to the ballot for the March 2018 presidential elections.Russia’s government-controlled election committee says he is ineligible to stand for public office because of a previous conviction for fraud. Navalny, who is currently serving his third prison sentence since March, says the charges were trumped up to stifle his political ambitions.(theguardian)...[+]