MOSCOW: Supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny holds ballots as a symbol to nominate him as opposition candidate for the upcoming presidential election in Moscow on Sunday. — AFP MOSCOW, Dec 24 (Agencies): Hundreds of supporters of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny on Sunday endorsed him for the presidency and prepared to file his nomination with election officials, putting pressure on the Kremlin to allow him to run.
President Vladimir Putin's most formidable foe in all his 18 years in power, Navalny is barred from running because of a criminal conviction that is largely viewed as political retribution. He could run if he gets a special dispensation or if the conviction is canceled.
Some 800 Navalny supporters on Sunday gathered for a formal endorsement meeting in a giant marquee on the snow-covered riverside in Moscow. The endorsement was observed by election authorities. Navalny's representative is to file the papers with the Election Commission later on Sunday in the same procedure that Putin, who is also running as an independent, should follow.
The opposition politician insists he would beat Mr Putin in a fair fight. In an interview with Associated Press last week, he said he would win "if I am allowed to run and if I'm allowed to use major media".
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