Russian Opposition Leader Freed on Bail

Demonstrations in his support are forbidden without permission

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been freed from jail pending an appeal, a day after being sentenced to five years for embezzlement.

The court said being in custody would strip him of his right to stand in the Moscow mayor elections in September.

Navalny's supporters said the decision to convict him was political.

A spokesman for President Putin, Dmitry Peskov, has warned activists against trying to hold any more pro-Navalny marches without official approval.