Protests against Russian economic policy held

Thousands of protesters held rallies in several cities across Russia to protest against the government’s economic policy and demand more political freedoms.

Many participants in the rallies, dubbed the Day of Wrath by the opposition, are demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

About 1,000 people rallied in St Petersburg holding placards “Putin’s team must resign!” Police did not intervene. An opposition rally in the far eastern port of Vladivostok drew about 1,500 people, and similar protests were also planned in dozens of other cities throughout Russia.