A court in Moscow has sentenced a close ally of imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny to 1 1/2 years of parole-like restrictions.

Police arrested nearly 1,500 people in a day of demonstrations throughout Russia calling for freedom for imprisoned opposition leader Alexei Navalny, whose health reportedly is in severe decline after three weeks of hunger striking, according to a group that monitors political detentions.

Russian authorities have rejected the accusations. On Thursday, a Moscow court rejected his appeal to be released, and another hearing next week could turn his 3 1/2-year suspended sentence into one he must serve in prison. AdOn Friday, Moscow's Tverskoy District Court put them under house arrest until March 23 as requested by investigators. Navalny’s arrest and the harsh police actions at the protests have brought wide criticism from the West and calls for his release. Russian authorities have refused to open a full-fledged criminal inquiry, citing a lack of evidence that he was poisoned.

Volunteers have played a big role in dealing with a wave of coronavirus cases in Kyrgyzstan. Help medical workers, run their errands, bring them food. Since then, nearly 600 people have joined an online group called Together. Dozens filled in as orderlies at seven Bishkek medical facilities. Hospitals reported fewer patients, and volunteers said they weren't getting as many calls at night from people gasping for breath. ___Altynai Sagyndykova in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, contributed.