MOSCOW -- Moscow police have released an opposition leader and two other prominent activists who were detained at a march in the Russian capital on August 22.
Boris Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, was detained along with fellow opposition activist Mikhail Shneider and human rights defender Lev Ponomaryov when around 100 activists tried to march to mark Russia's Flag Day.
The holiday celebrates the flag adopted by Russia as the Soviet Union collapsed.
The three have been charged with resisting police and holding an unsanctioned march.
Nemtsov told RFE/RL's Russian Service that they had just wanted to express their respect for their country and its flag.
Moscow's administrative court will hold hearings into the case on August 24-25.