Threats prompt Russian opposition leader Mikhail Kasyanov to cancel meeting Sunday, February 14, 2016 1:47:00 AM

Chairman of the Russian PARNAS party, Mikhail Kasyanov, cancelled a meeting with residents of Nizhny Novgorod due to threats against him and his associates, according to the party’s website.

“I don't want to encourage our supporters to have physical confrontations, and without the protection of our rights against tyranny, it is impossible, because on their side they have the state machine, money, TV and the courts,” Kasyanov stated.

The day before, several young men tried to disrupt Kasyanov’s press conference in Nizhny Novgorod by shouting threats at the politician and his supporters. The incident prompted the opposition leader to postpone Saturday’s meeting

"I apologize to the citizens who wanted to listen to my assessment of the current political and socio-economic situation and to our proposals to bring the country out of a systemic crisis,” Kasyanov stated.

Regional authorities allegedly told reporters in Nizhny Novgorod not to cover the opposition leader’s visit.

On February 9th, several people attempted to attack Kasyanov in Moscow, but the politician’s bodyguards successfully fought them off.

On the 1st of February, Kasyanov was the subject of a video posted on Instagram by the head of Chechnya, Ramzan Kadyrov. In the video, Kasyanov and PARNAS co-chairman, Vladimir Kara-Murza Jr, can be seen through the crosshairs of a rifle. That same evening, Instagram administration removed the video as it did not comply with its terms of service, which "encourage respect towards other members of society". Kadyrov was outraged by the post's removal, and accused Instagram of “violating freedom of speech.”

“Kadyrov threatens not only me, but also Putin,” Kasyanov said in response.

Share

Comments

Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.