Fresh protests against raising the retirement age held across Russia

Fresh protests against raising the retirement age are being held across Russia, after a call by jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny.

Pension reforms have caused widespread public anger, and Mr Navalny's supporters have planned rallies in more than 80 cities to capitalise on this.

Concessions by President Vladimir Putin whose popularity has suffered over the issue have failed to stem the discontent

Protests have begun in Vladivostok and other cities in Russia's Far East.

They coincide with elections for 26 heads of Russia's 85 regions, including in Moscow, which are happening on Sunday.

From 2019, the retirement age for men will be increased from 60 to 65 and from 55 to 60 for women.

Mr Putin softened the initial plan to raise women's retirement age to 63.

Russian men have a life expectancy of 66 while for women it is 77, the World Health Organization says.