Holding placards declaring “I am not afraid”, thousands of Russians marched in Moscow in memory of Kremlin critic Boris Nemtsov, whose murder has widened a split in society that some say could threaten Russia’s future.

Russian police searched the homes of prominent opponents of President Vladimir Putin in a clear warning he is losing patience with dissenters before a major rally today that could draw tens of thousands of people challenging his rule.

THE Moscow court reading the verdict in the politically charged trial of oil tycoon Mikhail Khodorkovsky adjourned yesterday without pronouncing a final decision, postponing the process into a third day.

RUSSIAN President Vladimir Putin tried to boost business confidence yesterday, reassuring skittish investors during his state of the nation address that rules governing the privatisation of state property and tax collection would not be constantly shifting.