A former KGB colonel turned opposition lawmaker who has angered the Kremlin with his scathing criticism and involvement in street protests against President Vladimir Putin was stripped of his parliament seat on Friday.
Gennady Gudkov’s removal from the lower house paves the way for similar action against other opposition lawmakers, sending a clear message to members that they serve at the pleasure of the Kremlin.
The 291-150 vote with three abstentions to expel Gudkov from the State Duma also means he will no longer be protected by immunity from prosecution. His supporters fear he could face arrest.
Gudkov denounced the move as “political revenge and extrajudicial repression.”
Gudkov, like Putin a KGB veteran, is not your typical Russian protester. This 56-year-old stout, mustached man cut a striking figure among young activists as he chanted “Putin, Resign!” from the stage at opposition rallies last winter.
That was on weekends. During the week, he donned expensive suits and attended close-door meetings at the Russian parliament. He was deputy chairman of Parliament’s security committee and enjoyed good relations with many senior officials in Russian police security agencies.
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