Opposition urges ‘Russia without Putin’ in rally for slain liberal

Thousands rally in central Moscow to call on Russian President Vladimir Putin not to stay in power indefinitely, in the first major protest by the Russian opposition since the Kremlin chief announced controversial plans to change the constitution.

The rally marks five years since the assassination of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, but its organizers also want the event to send a message to Putin after he proposed major constitutional changes.

Organizers, including the country’s most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny, called for a mass turnout to show Putin that he must not consider staying in power by any means when his current mandate ends in 2024.

Moscow authorities have given permission to the rally — after a succession of demonstrations urging fair elections last summer were roughly dispersed — and the street was packed by a flow of protesters, an AFP correspondent says.

“The Putin regime is a threat to humankind,” says the slogan on one placard next to a portrait of Nemtsov.

“Putin’s policies are based on total lies,” says another, quoting the liberal politician who was assassinated in central Moscow on February 27, 2015.

“Russia without Putin!” the crowds chant repeatedly as they marched.

The White Counter monitor which counts attendance at protests said 22,300 people took part in the march. The interior ministry said 10,500 took part.

— AFP