Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny has been doused in bright green liquid by an unknown assailant in the Siberian city of Barnaul.

I will be opening a headquarters in Barnaul as if I am from the film The Mask

Mr Navalny tweeted: "I will be opening a headquarters in Barnaul as if I am from the film The Mask! Cool. Even my teeth are green!"

He was referring to the Hollywood film starring Jim Carrey which features a superhero who wears a green mask.

The green liquid, a common Russian antiseptic which remains on the skin for days, was reportedly sprayed in Mr Navalny's face as he went to shake a man's hand.

Mr Navalny is currently travelling around Russia opening headquarters and campaigning to stand in the 2018 presidential elections.

A criminal conviction for fraud officially bars him from running, but supporters say the charges are politically motivated.

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