Putin calls palace allegations 'manipulation'

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday described allegations that he owned a lavish "palace" on the Black Sea as "manipulation through editing".

Opposition leader Alexei Navalny's investigation team had published a video expose alleging the estate was built for Putin through an elaborate corruption scheme.

Within 48 hours of being posted on YouTube last week, the video had received over 42 million views.

Speaking to students online on Monday, Putin said the investigation was a "compilation" and "manipulation through editing", adding it had only now been compiled by the opposition "to brainwash our people with this information".

Navalny was arrested earlier this month when he returned to Moscow after spending months in Germany recovering from an attack in Russia with what experts have said was the nerve agent Novichok.

A weekend police crackdown saw thousands taken into custody during protests in support of Putin’s most well-known critic.

(Image Credit: AP)