- Title: Freed Kremlin critic Udaltsov says won't back Navalny
- Date: 10th August 2017
- Summary: MOSCOW, RUSSIA (AUGUST 10, 2017) (REUTERS) ****WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** RUSSIAN OPPOSITION ACTIVIST, SERGEI UDALTSOV, ARRIVING FOR NEWS CONFERENCE MEDIA UDALTSOV ADDRESSING MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN OPPOSITION ACTIVIST, SERGEI UDALTSOV, SAYING: "These past four and a half years have not in any way changed my life perspective and world views and my attitude towards the current regime. I was a tough critic of (the Russian President Vladimir) Putin, the government and the entire elite that currently rules the country, and I remain one." MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN OPPOSITION ACTIVIST, SERGEI UDALTSOV, SAYING: "If left groups in 2018 manage to unite, to act together and - I hope for it and it would be great - to come up with one candidate from the left wing... I think it should be a new person." MEDIA NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS MEDIA (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN OPPOSITION ACTIVIST, SERGEI UDALTSOV, SAYING: "We continue our struggle for consolidation of the opposition, for consolidation of the left movement. I will devote all my efforts to this. I'm not broken, I haven't changed my views, I remain honest to myself and I hope to be honest with you." MEDIA UDALTSOV SPEAKING (SOUNDBITE) (Russian) RUSSIAN OPPOSITION ACTIVIST, SERGEI UDALTSOV, SAYING: "No, I won't come to the streets in support of (Russian opposition leader Alexei) Navalny. It is his position to run for president, but he is not my candidate, I say it honestly. But to come out (to protest) against corruption, not to take part in Navalny's PR-campaign, but to come out to deal with real problems - I am always ready. We have nothing to lose and nothing to hide in this regard. We are ready and open for cooperation, but we are strongly against somebody trying to use us again." NEWS CONFERENCE IN PROGRESS MEDIA UDALTSOV STANDING UP MEDIA UDALTSOV LEAVING BUILDING, MEDIA
- Embargoed: 24th August 2017 12:45
- Keywords: Russian opposition Sergei Udaltsov recently freed opposition activist Kremlin critic President Vladimir Putin opposition leader Alexei Navalny
- Location: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- City: MOSCOW, RUSSIA
- Country: Russia
- Topics: Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA0016TKQ52X
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Prominent Russian opposition activist Sergei Udaltsov released from jail earlier this week, said on Thursday (August 10) he would not support Alexei Navalny as a presidential candidate.
"No, I won't come to the streets in support of (Russian opposition leader Alexei) Navalny. It is his position to run for president, but he is not my candidate," said Udaltsov speaking to media for the first time after serving a 4.5 year prison sentence.
Udaltsov, the Left Front opposition party leader, was charged with plotting mass disorders during a protest held on the eve of Putin's inauguration for the third term in May 2012. Over 400 people have been detained and dozens of police officers were injured in clashes outside the Kremlin.
Udaltsov's criminal case focused on allegations aired in a documentary on Russian NTV television channel that he had received money and followed orders from an ally of the former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili aimed at destabilising situation in Russia.
Udaltsov said his main goal is consolidation of the left movement and the opposition in Russia. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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