Top Putin foe finds bug and camera installed in office

MOSCOW (AFP) - Russian protest leader Alexei Navalny accused the authorities on Monday of planting a bug and a video recorded in his office as part of their effort to keep tight reins on President Vladimir Putin's foes.

The 36-year-old corporate lawyer said his colleagues had just returned from summer vacation and decided to scan the office of his Anti-Corruption Fund with a special detector as a joke.

"We began with my office - just for laughs," Mr Navalny wrote on his blog.

The group found itself removing the lower section of the floor moulding a few minutes later when the device began making its loudest noises near Navalny's desk.