Drivers across the country are calling for Oleg Shcherbinsky's release, in a sign of widespread disgust with government bureaucrats who terrorise the roads by driving at high speed in the centre lane.

Shcherbinsky was jailed after his car, which was turning off the main road into a side street, was struck at high speed from behind by the Mercedes of the governor of Altai region, Mikhail Yevdokimov.

Evidence given in court showed the governor's car was travelling at more than 90mph.Yevdokimov, his driver and a bodyguard were killed when the saloon flew off the road and hit a tree last August.

The judge ruled that Shcherbinsky was to blame for failing to give way to a special vehicle. He was convicted for negligent driving leading to death.

Motorists across the country have risen up in his support before an appeal hearing tomorrow. Demonstrators are expected to gather in central Moscow today carrying placards saying "Free Shcherbinsky"and "We are all Shcherbinsky now". Car owners have attached white ribbons to their aerials to show sympathy with the 36-year-old railway worker.

Shcherbinsky's case is being seen as a standoff between the common man and privileged bureaucrats who abuse their powers.

MPs have repeatedly rebuffed legislation that would limit the number of vehicles allowed to use special signals such as horns and flashing blue lights.

Shcherbinsky's wife, Svetlana, said the authorities had imprisoned an innocent man. "People have risen up to protect my husband," she said. "It's like an abscess that burst. Drivers just couldn't put up with this kind of thing any longer."

Viktor Klepikov, a friend of the imprisoned man, said: "Our constitution says every citizen is equal before the law but this is the reality of what happens in our country. If he is acquitted we will all be winners: everyone who can call himself a simple citizen of Russia."

Mr Putin drew fire early in the investigation when he suggested Shcherbinsky was at fault for driving a right-hand drive car. But the pro-Kremlin United Russia party changed its course to support Shcherbinsky this week as the groundswell of public opinion became clear.

That has prompted hope that his conviction could be overturned in a country where "telephone justice" is still thought to prevail. This is the practice that dates from Communist days, of judges receiving their orders from party apparatchiks.

Viktor Pokhmelkin, an independent MP who campaigns for drivers' rights, said: "The main fault was with driver of the governor, who died. He exceeded the speed limit by a huge margin and he gave no warning of his approach."