RUSSIA | 04.02.2012

Anti-Putin protesters battle harsh Russian winter

 
epa03030020 A crossed portrait of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin reading 'We are out of your way' during a protest rally against alleged vote rigging in Russia's parliamentary elections, Moscow, Russia, 10 December 2011. Some 50,000 protesters who claim last weekend's Russian parliamentary elections were stolen by the ruling party demonstrated 10 December in Moscow, calling for a rerun of the poll. It was the biggest demonstration to take place in the capital for a decade. EPA/SERGEI ILNITSKY
Opposition activists are planning for a mass rally

Russians prepared to rally on Saturday against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, despite sub-zero temperatures. The rally is seen as a big test for the opposition movement.

 

Russians opposed to the regime of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin prepared to rally on Saturday, amid concerns that sub-zero temperatures would diminish their show of defiance.
Saturday's march for fair elections is the third mass anti-Putin rally in less than two months. It is being viewed as a vital test of the protest movement's momentum, a month ahead of elections for the presidency. A counter-protest from Putin supporters was also set to take place.
The two previous opposition rallies in Moscow, both in December, saw tens of thousands gather to protest against the candidacy of Putin, who previously served as president for eight years.
Cold snap
With temperatures in Moscow expected to hover around minus 17 degrees Celsius (1.5 Fahrenheit), organizers said they hoped Russians would not be deterred by the cold.
Liberal politician Boris Nemtsov advised participants to dress warmly. "I have the feeling that every degree colder it gets, we lose 5,000 people," Nemtsov told a press conference.
"It will be a very important event," opposition activist Boris Akunin told the AFP news agency. "It's very cold in Moscow and this march will show just how freeze-proof our sense of dignity and freedom is," said Akunin.
More than 27,000 have signed up for Saturday's march via Facebook, where tips were posted between activists on how to keep warm.
Putin, who is widely expected to win the presidential poll on March 4, has mocked the demonstrators, claiming that they lack leadership.
Protesters want a repeat of December's parliamentary elections, a probe into accusations of voting rigging, electoral reforms and the release of alleged political prisoners including the jailed tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
rc/slk (AFP, Reuters)
 
 
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