Russian political opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was arrested after an anti-Kremlin rally in Moscow's Triumfalnaya Square on New Year's Eve and sentenced to 15 days in jail for "disobeying police instructions," was released on Saturday, RIA Novosti reported.
Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister turned opposition leader, was arrested along with some 70 other people, including opposition figures Konstantin Kosyakin and Eduard Limonov, during the unsanctioned rally that broke out after the regular, sanctioned, March of Dissent meeting on December 31. Since then, people have been gathering outside the jailhouse in support of Nemtsov and other opposition figures.
After the release, Nemtsov said he would continue his political activity.
"They wanted to intimidate me, but it did not work," Nemtsov said.
Nemtsov's lawyer, Vadim Prokhorov, earlier said that the politician was feeling unwell, had "high fever, cough" and tied it to "medieval conditions" Nemtsov had to live in during the first 3 days of the arrest.
Limonov, who was also arrested on December 31, was also released on Saturday, Echo Moskvy radio station said.
On Saturday a lawmaker in Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, has requested Prosecutor General Yury Chaika to investigate whether Nemtsov is being funded by foreign sources, which is illegal according to Russian law.
The March of Dissent rallies take place in Moscow and St. Petersburg on the last day of every month with 31 days, in honor of Article 31 of the Russian Constitution, which guarantees the right to free assembly.