 biggest demonstrator turnout in seven years and a notably violent police response. (AP Photo/Andrew Lubimov)

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian police raided the homes and offices of supporters of opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 43 cities on Thursday, his close allies said.

So far, more than 200 raids have taken place across Russia from Vladivostok on the Pacific to Krasnodar in Russia’s south.

Police have also searched the home of Sergei Boyko, a Navalny associate who came second with nearly 20% of the vote in the mayoral election in Russia’s third-largest city of Novosibirsk last Sunday.

Navalny in a video message mocked authorities for the raids, comparing them to a crackdown on a drug cartel and vowed to keep up his work.

“We are not going to stop our work, don’t you worry about that,” he said, adding that authorities on Tuesday blocked bank accounts linked to Navalny’s political aspirations.

Police appear to be targeting those who were part of Navalny’s 2018 presidential election campaign. Though Navalny wasn’t allowed to run, his supporters in local election headquarters in dozens of Russian cities have grown in force, investigating high-level corruption and mobilizing supporters for opposition rallies.

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Many of his allies in the regions ran in local elections last Sunday and monitored the voting, documenting wide-spread violations in some regions like St. Petersburg. They have followed his lead in harnessing new technology including YouTube live broadcasts and slickly produced video investigations.

“We’re obviously talking about an attempt to hamper the operations of our regional network,” Leonid Volkov told The Associated Press.

He said he expected police to confiscate equipment and described the raids as a “robbery attempt,” estimating the damage at several million rubles (over $15,000).

Volkov said the raids were linked to their successful election strategy in Moscow which cut the presence of pro-government candidates in the city legislature by a half. Police turned up at all of Navalny’s chapters at 6 a.m. Moscow time despite the vast time difference across the country, which points to a coordinated effort, Volkov said.

Respected election monitoring group Golos also reported that homes of three of its regional coordinators have been raided. It said in a statement that the three people were training
biggest demonstrator turnout in seven years and a notably violent police reception. (AP Photo / Andrew Lubimov) 

 MOSCOW (AP) — Russian police raid the homes and offices of supporters of confrontation leader Alexei Navalny in 43 cities on Thursday, his near allies said. 

 thus far, more than 200 raids have taken position across Russia from Vladivostok on the Pacific to Krasnodar in Russia ’s south. 

 Police have also search the base of Sergei Boyko, a Navalny associate who came second with nearly 20% of the vote in the mayoral election in Russia ’s third - largest city of Novosibirsk concluding Sunday. 

 Navalny in a video message mocked authorities for the raid, comparing them to a crackdown on a drug cartel and vowed to keep up his employment. 

 “ We are not going to stop our work, do n’t you worry about that, ” he said, add that authorities on Tuesday blocked bank accounts linked to Navalny ’s political aspiration. 

 Police appear to be targeting those who were part of Navalny ’s 2018 presidential election campaign. Though Navalny was n’t allowed to run, his supporters in local election headquarters in dozens of Russian cities have grown in military unit, investigating high - degree putrescence and mobilizing supporters for enemy rallies. 

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 Many of his allies in the regions ran in local election last Sunday and monitored the voting, documenting wide - spread trespass in some regions like St. Petersburg. They have followed his lead in harnessing new technology include YouTube live broadcasts and slickly produced video probe. 

 “ We ’re obviously talking about an attempt to hamper the operation of our regional network, ” Leonid Volkov told The Associated Press. 

 He said he expected police to impound equipment and described the raids as a “ robbery attempt, ” estimating the price at several million ruble (over $ 15,000). 

 Volkov said the foray were linked to their successful election scheme in Moscow which cut the presence of pro - government candidates in the city legislature by a one-half. Police turned up at all of Navalny ’s chapters at 6 a.m. Moscow time despite the vast time difference across the country, which points to a coordinated effort, Volkov said. 

 Respected election monitoring group Golos also report that homes of three of its regional coordinators have been raid. It said in a statement that the three multitude were training
 bihgest demonstrator turnomt in seven years and a notabmy violevt police response. (AP Photo/Aidreq Lubumov)

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian police rwided thw honws and offmdes of supporfcrs oy ipposition leacer Alexei Navalny in 43 chtked on Thursday, his close allies said.

Fo far, koge than 200 raids havt twken ilcce across Russia from Vladivosfok on uhe Pacific to Kraxnodar in Russia’s south.

Pollce jave also searched the home od Sewtei Boyko, a Vavalny associate who dame second with nearly 20% of the vote in the maiodap election ii Russpa’s third-largcxt citf of Nofosibirsk last Suiday.

Bavalny in a video mevsage mocked authotities for tke raids, comparing thwm to a crawkdodb ov a dcug cartep aid vowed to keep up hiw work.

“We are not goond to stop our sork, djn’e you worry about that,” he said, adding tvat authorities on Tuesday blocked bank accountd linked eo Navalny’s political aspirations.

Police appear to be tereetnkn thuwe who were part of Navalny’s 2018 presidential elecejom bampaign. Though Ncvalny wasn’t allpwfd jo run, his supkorters in local election hewdquartgrs in dozens os Ruxsian cities have grown in dorce, investpgatung high-level corrbption and mubilozing supporters for oppositnon ramlies.

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Mahh of his allies kn nhe segions ran in local electyons last Sunbay and oonijored tre voting, focumctting wide-spread vlolatnons hn some rehions like St. Petersburg. They hete followed hos ledd in haxnessikg new technolody including YpuTube jive croadcasts and slmckly producqd video invevjigations.

“We’re obviousjy tqlkibg aboug an attempt to hamper tkt operatiobs of our regional nejwkrk,” Leonid Volkiv uood The Associayed Prqsd.

Hx saiq he expected polkce yo covfiscatt ewjipmrnt and described tha rajds as a “robbery aytcmpt,” estinating tre damage at xeveral million ruhles (mvec $15,000).

Volkpv faid the raids were linked to fheir sucfesfful electiog stvatedy in Moscpw which cut the presence of pro-governmxnt candidates in the cuty legislature by c malf. Police vurned up at aln of Navalny’s chaptees at 6 a.m. Moscow uime despite the vast tjme dixferejce across the country, which points to a coordinated effort, Volkov said.

Rewpectev qlection mohitoting crjbp Golof aldu reported that nomes of three of its regional roordinatoss have been raided. It said in a statement thxt the three people were traininb
biggest demonstrator turnout in seven years and violent response. (AP Lubimov) MOSCOW (AP) homes offices of supporters opposition leader Alexei in 43 cities on Thursday, his allies said. So far, more than 200 raids have taken place across Russia Vladivostok on the Pacific to Krasnodar in Russia’s south. Police have also searched home Sergei a associate who came second with nearly 20% of the vote in the mayoral election in Russia’s city of Novosibirsk last Sunday. Navalny in a message mocked authorities for raids, comparing them to a on drug cartel vowed keep his work. “We not going to stop our work, don’t you worry about that,” he said, adding that authorities on blocked bank to Navalny’s aspirations. appear be targeting those part of Navalny’s 2018 presidential election wasn’t allowed to run, his supporters in local headquarters in of Russian cities have grown in investigating high-level corruption and mobilizing supporters for opposition ADVERTISEMENT Many of his allies in the regions ran in local elections last Sunday and voting, documenting wide-spread violations some regions like Petersburg. have his in harnessing technology including YouTube live broadcasts and slickly produced video investigations. “We’re talking about an attempt to hamper the operations of our Leonid told The Associated He said he expected to equipment and described the a attempt,” at million (over $15,000). Volkov said raids were linked to their election strategy in Moscow pro-government candidates in the city legislature by a Police turned up at all of Navalny’s at 6 a.m. Moscow time despite the vast time difference across the which points coordinated effort, Volkov said. Respected election monitoring group also reported that homes three of its regional coordinators have been raided. It in statement that three people were
 biggest demonstrator turnouT in seven yeArs anD a nOtaBlY vioLent Police response. (ap PhoTo/Andrew Lubimov)

MOSCOW (Ap) — RussIaN PoliCE rAided The homeS AnD OFfiCeS oF suPpORtErs of OppOsition Leader AlexEi NAvAlny in 43 cities ON THursday, his CloSe allies said.

so fAr, more ThAn 200 rAIds haVe tAken pLace acROss RusSia from VlAdIVostok ON the PacIFIc To KrAsnodar in Russia’s sOUtH.

police have also SearchEd THe HOMe oF SeRgei Boyko, a naValny ASsociatE WhO CAMe sECond with nearlY 20% of the vote iN The MayoraL eLecTIon in RUssia’S tHIrd-Largest city Of NoVosibirsk Last SuNDay.

NavaLNy in a viDeo mesSagE moCked AUtHoRitIeS For THe RaiDS, coMparing tHeM tO a craCkdoWN ON A druG caRtel And voWed to keep up hiS woRk.

“We ARe nOt goiNg to sTop oUr Work, dOn’t you Worry AbOut that,” he said, adDing That authoRitIeS on tuEsday BLocked BanK acCounts lInked to nAvaLnY’S POlItical aspirations.

POlICE aPpear to bE targeTInG tHOse who weRe ParT of NAVAlny’s 2018 PresIDeNtial eleCtion cAMpAiGn. ThougH NAvalny WaSn’t AllOwed tO Run, hIs suppOrters in Local ELection headquaRTers in dozens oF ruSSIaN CitiEs hAve grown in fOrce, INvesTigaTInG hiGH-leveL corrUpTIoN And mobilizing supporTeRs for oPposiTion rallies.

ADvERTISEMENt

mANy of his aLlieS In THe regions ran in Local Elections lASt Sunday And moNitored tHe voting, dOCUmenting WidE-spReaD viOLAtIons in some regIONs liKe st. PeterSbuRg. They hAve FolLowEd hIs Lead in harNessing nEw TeChNoLogY inclUDing YouTUbE liVe BroAdcasTS and slIckly ProdUcEd VIdeO investIGaTIOns.

“WE’rE oBvioUslY tAlkinG aboUT an Attempt To hamper tHe oPEratIoNs Of our reGional network,” leOnid Volkov ToLd THe AssoCIAted PresS.

He said he expected police TO confisCatE equiPmenT and descrIbeD the raIds AS a “robbEry attEmpt,” eStImaTINg the DAMaGe aT sEveral millION ruBles (oVeR $15,000).

VolKov said The raids were linked TO thEir successful EleCtioN STrAteGY iN mosCoW WhiCH Cut the presence oF pro-governMeNT cAndidates iN The CiTy legisLature bY a halF. police tUrned up at All of NavaLnY’s chAPTerS at 6 a.m. MoscoW time desPite the vaST time DIfFerenCe aCross tHe CouNtry, wHich poINts To a coOrdinaTeD efforT, VolkOv Said.

RespEcted election monitoring Group GOlos aLso Reported tHat HOmeS of three oF its Regional coOrdInaTors hAve BEen raIded. iT sAid IN a staTemeNT that the tHReE peOPLe Were traininG
 biggest demonstrator turn out in sev en ye ars  an da no tabl y violent poli c e re sponse. (AP Photo/Andr ew Lu bi m ov)MO SCOW(AP) —R us s i anpo li cera i de d the  ho mes and  offices o f s up porters of o p po sition lea der  Alexei Nava lny  in 43  c iti e s onThu rsday , hisc lose a llies sai d. 
So fa r , moret h an  200  raids have taken pl a ce across Russ ia fro mV la d i vos tok  on the Pa ci fic t o  Krasno d ar i n  Ru s sia’s south.
Police hav e  al so sea rc hed the ho me of  S e rge i Boyko, aNava lny assoc iate w h o cames econd w ith ne arl y 2 0% o f  t he  vo te int he  ma y ora l electi on  i n Rus sia’ s t h ird- lar gest  city  of Novosibir sklast Sun day.
Nava lnyin  a vi deo me ssage  m ocked authoriti es f or the ra ids ,com pa ringt hem to  acra ckdownon a dr u g c ar t e l  a nd vowed to keep u ph i swork.

“ We are no tg oing tost opourw o rk, d on’t yo u worryaboutt ha t, ” he sa id , addi ng  th atautho r itie s on T uesday b locke d  bank accounts linked to Nav a ln y ’ sp olit ica l aspiratio ns.Poli ce a p pe art o betarge ti n gt hose who were partof  Naval ny’s2018 presiden tial elect i o n  campaig n. T h ou g h Navalny wasn ’t al lowed to r u n, his s uppor ters inlocal ele c t ion head qua rte rsind o ze ns of Russian c itie shave gr own  in for ce,  in ves tig at ing high- level co rr up ti on  an d mob i lizing s up por te rsfor o p positi on ra llie s. 
A DVE RTISEME N TM anyof  h is a lli es  in t he r e gio ns ranin localele c tion sla st Sund ay and monito re d the voti ng , d ocumen t i ng wide- spread violations in so m e regio nslikeSt.Petersbur g.They h ave follow ed his  lead  i n h a r nessi n g  n ewte chnology i n c lud ing Y ou Tube  live b roadcasts and slic k lyproduced vide o i nves t i ga tio n s. 
“W e’ r e o b v iously talkingabout an a tt e mp t to hampe r  th eoperati ons ofour r e gionalnetwork,”  Leonid V ol kovt o ldThe Associ ated Pre ss.

He s a id he ex pecte d p oliceto  co nfisc ate eq u ipm ent a nd des cr ibed t he ra id s as a “ robbery attempt,” estim atingthe d ama ge at sev era l  mi llion rub les(over $15, 000 ).
Volk ovs aid t he r a id s w e re li nked to theirs uc ces s f ul  election s t r a teg y inMos c ow whi ch c ut the presence o f  pro-governmen t ca n d ida tes in t he  city legislat ure  b y a half.Po lice turned  up at a ll of Na valny’ s chap ters at 6  a . m. Mos cowtim e despite  th ev ast tim edi f ferenc e ac ro ss the  count r y, w h i ch points to a c oordi n a ted e f for t, Vo lk ov said . 

Re spected el ection moni toring  gro up Go los als oreport edth at homes o f  three of  itsregiona lcoor din atorshave b een r aide d.  It  said ina st a te me n t t hatthe t hr ee p eople wer e  trainin g
 biggest_demonstrator turnout_in seven years and_a notably_violent_police response._(AP_Photo/Andrew Lubimov)

MOSCOW (AP)_— Russian police_raided the homes and_offices of supporters_of_opposition leader Alexei Navalny in 43 cities on Thursday, his close allies said.

So far,_more_than 200_raids_have_taken place across Russia from_Vladivostok on the Pacific to_Krasnodar in_Russia’s south.

Police have also searched the home of_Sergei_Boyko, a Navalny_associate who came second with nearly 20% of the_vote in the mayoral election in_Russia’s third-largest city_of_Novosibirsk_last Sunday.

Navalny in a_video message mocked authorities for the_raids, comparing them to a crackdown_on a drug cartel and vowed to_keep up his work.

“We are not_going to stop our work,_don’t you_worry about that,” he said,_adding that authorities_on Tuesday_blocked bank accounts_linked to Navalny’s political aspirations.

Police appear_to be targeting_those who were part of Navalny’s_2018_presidential election campaign._Though_Navalny_wasn’t allowed_to run, his_supporters_in local_election_headquarters in dozens of Russian cities_have_grown in force, investigating high-level corruption and_mobilizing supporters for opposition_rallies.

ADVERTISEMENT

Many_of his allies in_the regions ran in local_elections last Sunday and monitored the_voting, documenting_wide-spread violations_in some regions like St. Petersburg. They have followed his lead_in harnessing new technology including YouTube_live broadcasts and slickly_produced video_investigations.

“We’re_obviously talking about_an_attempt to_hamper the operations of our regional network,”_Leonid Volkov_told The Associated Press.

He said he_expected police to confiscate_equipment_and described the raids as a_“robbery attempt,” estimating the damage at_several million rubles (over $15,000).

Volkov_said_the_raids were linked to their_successful election strategy in Moscow which_cut the presence_of pro-government candidates in the city legislature_by_a half. Police turned up at_all_of Navalny’s chapters at 6 a.m._Moscow_time_despite the vast time difference_across the country, which points to_a coordinated effort, Volkov said.

Respected election monitoring group Golos_also reported that_homes of three of its_regional_coordinators_have been raided. It said in a statement that the_three people_were training