MOSCOW. Jan 19 (Interfax) - The Kremlin says it is not afraid of mass demonstrations in support of opposition activist Alexei Navalny but believes that calls for such demonstrations should be analyzed from the angle of their legality.
"These are disturbing calls," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
"We are not the body that can assess this fact, however, it could be a reason for conducting certain analysis and evaluations as possible calls for something illegal," he said.
When asked a follow-up question as to whether the Kremlin fears mass protests, Peskov responded, "No, it does not."
Peskov also declined to comment on the alleged popularity of Navalny in Russia and the world but said the Kremlin was "inclined to soberly assess everything and everyone."
"We are not inclined to make any exaggerations; we are inclined to soberly assess everything and everyone. I think we have said more than enough about this issue today, and I do not think it would be necessary to elaborate any further," Peskov said in response to journalists' request for commenting on the matter, given the keen public attention to Navalny's return to Russia and his popularity inside and outside the country.