Protest warning after Russian activist jailed again

MOSCOW, Dec 26, (AFP): The Russian opposition on Monday vowed new protests this week after a leading anti-Kremlin activist was give a fresh jail sentence following the latest mass rally against Vladimir Putin. Tens of thousands of people took to the streets on Saturday in the second mass opposition protest in a month, increasing the pressure on Putin for reform as he faces the biggest protest wave in Russia since the 1990s. "The Reckoning" the opposition New Times weekly wrote on its front cover. It also featured an illustration depicting Putin dressed as a Christmas gnome alongside leaders ousted in the Arab Spring such as former Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak. The opposition is not expected to hold new mass rallies until after the New Year. But the fresh prison term handed to Sergei Udaltsov, who leads the extreme-left wing Left Front Movement, sparked huge anger within its ranks. Udaltsov had already served 15 days for taking part in a protest in Moscow against December 4 parliamentary elections won by Putin's party, a poll the opposition says were rigged.