Russian Opposition, WikiLeaks & Revolutions 

Russian Opposition Leader Urges Western Sanctions

Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov gestures after he was released from police custody in Moscow, Saturday, Jan. 15, 2011. Russia released Nemtsov Saturday after his arrest 15 days ago at an anti-government rally that had been authorized by officials.

The leader of the left wing movement "Left Front" Sergei Udaltsov, left, speaks during a rally against arrests of Russian opposition leaders, Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. A woman at right holds a poster saying "It's terrible to live in the country where there is no trial". Boris Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, and other opposition members were arrested on Dec. 31, 2010 during a rally in defense of freedom of assembly.

A woman holds a poster saying "It's terrible to live in the country where there is no trial" during a rally against arrests of Russian opposition leaders in Moscow, Russia, Sunday, Jan. 16, 2011. Boris Nemtsov, a former deputy prime minister, and other opposition members were arrested on Dec. 31, 2010 during a rally in defense of freedom of assembly.

A prominent Russian opposition leader urged the West on Monday to refuse entry to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his top lieutenants in reaction to what he described as repression of dissent.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Boris Nemtsov spoke after spending 15 days in jail over what he called fabricated charges following an anti-government rally. His Dec. 31 arrest drew outrage in the West and prompted Amnesty International to call him a prisoner of conscience.

Nemtsov said he was jailed on the false testimony of police officers by a judge who followed government orders. The judge rejected Nemtsov's plea to consider video footage demonstrating that he wasn't violating public order or resisting arrest.

Other leading opposition activists were also jailed by the same judge.

"The Russian judiciary has been fully destroyed," Nemtsov told reporters Monday.

Russian police routinely break up opposition rallies, but protest leaders are usually only detained for a few hours before being set free. But the jailing of Nemtsov, a longtime Putin opponent, and other top opposition activists marked a toughening of authorities' response to street protests.

Nemtsov alleged that the latest crackdown reflected a fear of the opposition ahead of parliamentary elections this fall and a presidential vote early next year.

"They will stop at nothing to preserve their power and money," Nemtsov said of the government.

Putin, who shifted into the prime minister's seat after two presidential terms, is widely expected to reclaim the presidency. Last month, Putin accused Nemtsov and other opposition leaders of trying to return to power to sell the country out to the West. Nemtsov said Monday he was considering a libel suit.

Nemtsov urged the West to refuse visas to top Russian officials and their relatives to encourage more respect for democracy and civil rights.

"That list must start with Putin's name. He is the man who has trampled upon and torn apart the Russian constitution," he said.

Nemtsov acknowledged that it would be unrealistic to expect the West to deny entrance to Putin, because of its dependence on Russian energy supplies, but added that refusing visas to some of his top associates would have a strong impact on the government.

o