Opposition urges 'Russia without Putin' in rally for slain liberal

Thousands rallied in central Moscow on Saturday to call on President Vladimir Putin not to stay in power indefinitely, in the first major protest by the Russian opposition since the Kremlin chief announced controversial plans to change the constitution.

The rally marked five years since the assassination of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov, but its organisers also want the event to send a message to Putin after he proposed major constitutional changes.

Organisers, including the country's most prominent opposition leader Alexei Navalny, called for a mass turnout to show Putin that he must not consider staying in power by any means when his current mandate ends in 2024.

Moscow authorities gave permission to the rally -- after a succession of demonstrations urging fair elections last summer were roughly dispersed -- and the street was packed by a flow of protesters, an AFP correspondent said.

"The Putin regime is a threat to humankind," said the slogan on one placard next to a portrait of Nemtsov.

"Putin's policies are based on total lies," said another, quoting the liberal politician who was on assassinated in central Moscow on February 27, 2015.

"Russia without Putin!" the crowds chanted repeatedly as they began marching.

The White Counter monitor which counts attendance at protests said 22,300 people took part in the march. The interior ministry said 8,000 took part.

Putin, who has dominated Russia for two decades, in January unleashed a political storm, proposing an overhaul of the constitution, the first changes to the basic law since 1993.

Analysts see the plan as beginning preparations for succession when Putin's fourth presidential term ends in 2024, while the opposition says the Kremlin strongman wants to remain leader for life.

"I think that this is a crime, that it is mocking the constitution," said Semyon Pevzner, a pensioner aged 75.

"The only aim is to stay in power by any means possible."
"The leaders should fear the fact they can lose power."
"We will continue to turn out (every year) until this case is solved."
Protesters also urged authorities to release Russia's political prisoners, with a group of women holding a banner reading: "Mothers against political repression. Freedom to our children."