Protest gatherings taking place over weekend in Porto and Braga
Dozens of Russians living outside Russia gathered in front of the Russian embassy in Lisbon last night to pay tribute to Alexei Navalny, lighting candles, leaving flowers, writing on placards phrases by the Kremlin opponent who died in yesterday, or simply crying.
“As Alexei said: ‘if I die, you don’t give up’,” said young Olesya – one of group of Navalny’s supporters gathered in front of the Russian representation in sorrowful silence, in some cases crying or exchanging hugs.
Russians living in Portugal have been organising weekly vigils in front of the embassy since the illegal invasion of Ukraine, calling for an end to the Putin regime.
Last night’s protest was marked by slogans in Russian, such as “Russia will be free”.
There is expected to be another one this afternoon, while similar actions said to be being planned for Porto and Braga.
Diário de Notícias refers to two congresses in Lisbon and Porto last month where Russian expats denounced the ‘pseudo elections’ that are coming in Russia in a few weeks time to solidify a new presidential term for Vladimir Putin.
LUSA/ Diário de Notícias
