Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has been freed from jail pending an appeal, a day after being found guilty of embezzlement, BBC News reported.

The decision, by a court in Kirov, was greeted by applause from those in the courtroom.

Thousands of his supporters took to the streets on Thursday, July 18 to protest against his conviction, saying it was politically motivated.

Navalny is a vocal critic of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He recently registered his candidacy for Moscow mayoral elections, but after Thursday's verdict he indicated that he would withdraw from the race.

It is not clear if the fact he is now free pending an appeal will alter his decision.