Russian protest leader Sergei Udaltsov has been released from jail after a month in detention since organizing anti-government demonstrations.

Udaltsov emerged from detention late Wednesday to a snowy Moscow night and cheers from supporters gathered to greet him. He said the anti-government protesters, who say the country's political system is corrupt, will continue their activities with peaceful protests in Moscow on February 4.

Udaltsov's detention fueled anti-government protests in December, when demonstrators rallied to criticize parliamentary elections in which a number of opposition parties were denied the chance to participate. They also accused President Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of “hijacking the vote” after Mr. Medvedev agreed not to run for president in next year's election. Mr. Putin is expected to take the office, which he gave up in 2008 due to term limits.