14:53

Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny is due back in Moscow later on Sunday for the first time since he was nearly killed last year by a nerve agent attack.

Axar.az reports that he says the authorities were behind the attempt on his life, an allegation backed up by investigative journalists but denied by the Russian government.

Mr. Navalny, 44, faces arrest on his return from Germany, where he has been receiving medical treatment.

But he has appealed to supporters to meet him off the flight.

A "Let's meet Navalny" page has been set up on Facebook (in Russian), with thousands of people saying they will go or expressing interest, despite forecasts of extreme cold.

He has said he is almost fully recovered from the attack, that he misses Moscow and there was never any doubt that he would return.

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Navalny was detained by law enforcement officers at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport.

Navalny was detained on December 29, 2020, as part of a criminal case on fraud. It should be noted that Bavalny's plane had to land at Vnukovo airport, but was later diverted to Sheremetyevo.

The road to the airport was closed by the police.

Thousands of people announced on social media that they wanted to meet Navalny. Navalny is accompanied by many foreign journalists.