Moscow protests over Putin’s ‘rule of thieves’

ABOUT 500 people demonstrated in a Moscow square yesterday to demand the ousting of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his “rule of thieves”.

Prominent opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was arrested and jailed for 15 days following a similar demonstration a month ago, kept up his assault on Russia’s longtime leader.

He compared Putin to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, who is facing mass unrest after 30 years in power.

“Please, someone tell me how our leadership differs from his,” Nemtsov shouted to the crowd. “Russia has to get rid of Putin.”

Nemtsov has accused Putin of allowing corruption to pervade the corridors of power and of building up considerable personal wealth during his 11 years in power at the expense of ordinary Russians.

He also has denounced Putin’s reversal of the democratic achievements of the 1990s.

Russia’s beleaguered opposition holds demonstrations on the last day of every month with 31 days to call attention to the 31st Article of Russia’s Constitution, which guarantees freedom of assembly.

The city authorised yesterday’s rally, but it also authorised the rally on December 31, during which 68 people were arrested, including Nemtsov.

Nemtsov’s arrest drew Western condemnation and mobilised his supporters, who held daily pickets.

Police surrounded the square yesterday, but allowed demonstrators to disperse peacefully after the rally.