Supporters of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny called for nationwide protests on Wednesday as concerning reports of his deteriorating health emerge from prison.

Navalny is gravely ill in prison after a three-week hunger strike. His team has urged people across the vast country to take to the streets to demand life-saving medical treatment for him.

The government has said the planned gatherings are illegal. Previous pro-Navalny rallies have been dispersed by force, with thousands of arrests.

The 44-year-old, who survived a nerve agent poisoning last year that Russia denies carrying out, was sentenced in February to two and a half years for parole violations related to an embezzlement case that he says was politically motivated.

He went on hunger strike on March 31 over what he said was the refusal of prison authorities to provide him with adequate treatment for acute leg and back pain. Officials say he has received normal medical care.

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