Russian protest leader Alexei Navalny led thousands through the streets of Vladimir Putin’s native city Saturday in protest against his likely return to the Kremlin in March 4 polls. The demonstration was called a day before thousands more hoped to link hands around Moscow in a poignant show of frustration with the ex-KGB spy’s decision to seek a third presidential term after dominating Russia for 12 years. “The event on March 4 cannot be called an election,” Navalny told reporters before heading to the central Moscow Station depot in Saint Petersburg for the march. “People should be not looking at it as an election but as an opportunity to create as much stress for the authorities as possible … by voting for anyone but Putin,” Navalny said. Thousands then snaked their way along the city’s scenic embankments chanting “Russia without Putin” and “Putin is a thief” — a chant that would have been unimaginable just months ago — while police helicopters circled overhead. The 35-year-old Navalny has gained prominence among Russia’s Internet-savvy youth for waging a tireless web campaign to expose state corruption.
