(RFE/RL)
12 February 2006 -- Thousands of motorists staged protests in Moscow and other Russian cities today over the jailing of a driver who was involved in the road death of a top regional politician.
Several hundred demonstrators formed a column in downtown Moscow demanding proper justice for ordinary drivers whose vehicles are involved in accidents with big official limousines.
The jailed motorist was given a four-year sentence after an accident in Altai Krai in Siberia in which the regional governor was killed.
Mikhail Yevdokimov's official car was travelling at an estimated 150-to-200 kilometers an hour on a country road when it brushed the convicted man's car while attempting to pass, then slammed into a tree.
Today's protests, held also in St. Petersburg and several cities in the Asian part of Russia, were against what is seen as an increasing abuse of privileges by official drivers.
(dpa)
The jailed motorist was given a four-year sentence after an accident in Altai Krai in Siberia in which the regional governor was killed.
Mikhail Yevdokimov's official car was travelling at an estimated 150-to-200 kilometers an hour on a country road when it brushed the convicted man's car while attempting to pass, then slammed into a tree.
Today's protests, held also in St. Petersburg and several cities in the Asian part of Russia, were against what is seen as an increasing abuse of privileges by official drivers.
(dpa)