Russia opposition leader freed on bail

Russia freed opposition leader Alexei Navalny on bail, on Friday, with thousands of protesters on street who denounced his five-year jail sentence as a crude attempt by President Vladimir Putin to silence him.

However, Putin's spokesman called the protesters "mobs" and warned that the rallies were illegal.

In a highly unusual ruling that points to Kremlin uncertainty over how to handle Navalny's case, a judge approved the prosecution request to free him pending his appeal so that he can run in a Moscow mayor election on September 8.

The anti-corruption blogger will be unable to leave Moscow but hailed the decision, a day after he was convicted of theft, as a victory for people power.

Experts said it was unprecedented for the prosecution to seek bail on such terms after sentencing.