Tens of thousands rally in Moscow urging release of jailed opposition protesters Sunday Sep 29,2019

Thousands gathered in Moscow Sunday Sep 29,2019 for a demonstration demanding the release of opposition protesters prosecuted in recent months. 

Police estimated a turnout of 20,000 at the Sakharov Avenue in central Moscow about half an hour after the start of the protest, which was authorised.

The demonstrators chanted "let them go" and brandished placards demanding a halt to "repressions" of opposition protesters.

Several protesters who were charged but freed in recent weeks thanked the crowd for putting pressure on the authorities.

"We have to keep demanding to respect our rights, because they have left us no choice but to protest in the streets," said opposition leader Lyubov Sobol.