Russia directs social media network to curb online calls for protest

The opposition leader was detained on Sunday on his coming to Russia on the management of parole violation. It was the first time he had set foot in the country for his poisoning in August with a Novichok nerve agent.

Navalny has blamed the Kremlin of ordering his murder, which Moscow has rejected.

Navalny's supporters have called for public demonstrations to take place in 65 Russian cities on Saturday, accusing the Russian government of fraud.

But Russia's interior ministry had called the planned protests "illegal" and stated it is ready to "protect public order

."

Meanwhile, the prosecutor general’s office has called for websites and social media programs to be reduced if they are used to call people to join.

Many videos posted by Russian users on the popular video-sharing platform, TikTok, show support for Navalny. More than 4,000 people have also signed up on Facebook for a show in Moscow.

But tech giants like Facebook and Twitter have been ordered by Russia to "block all publications with calls to demonstrate on the 23rd".

"Calls for participation in illegal mass events have been identified ... and prosecutorial response measures are taken," the prosecutor's office said in a statement.

"Requirements have been submitted to the Federal Service for Communications, Information Technology, and Mass Communications to restrict access to illegal information."

Russia's communications watchdog, Roskomnadzor, also stated that TikTok and Russia’s largest social network, VK, should prevent young audiences on TikTok from being encouraged to demonstrate.

"Internet sites will be brought to official responsibility in connection with the dissemination of news prevented by law and aimed at attracting minors to participate in illegal mass public events," the watchdog said.

"Participation in such events violates the established procedure, including in a pandemic, and bears risks of harm to life and health."