This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-europe-16261701

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Russia phone tap: Liberal Boris Nemtsov attacks Putin Russia phone tap: Liberal Boris Nemtsov attacks Putin
(about 9 hours later)
A prominent Russian opposition leader, Boris Nemtsov, says the Kremlin was behind the publication of private phone calls in which he insulted other opposition activists. A prominent Russian opposition figure, Boris Nemtsov, says the Kremlin was behind the publication of private phone calls in which he insulted other opposition activists.
A news website close to the government, Life News, published recordings of Mr Nemtsov allegedly calling the activists "hamsters" and "scared penguins". A news website close to the government, Life News, published tapes in which Mr Nemtsov seems to call opposition supporters "hamsters" and "scared penguins".
Mr Nemtsov alleges illegal phone-tapping. He says the publication was part-truth, part-fabrication.Mr Nemtsov alleges illegal phone-tapping. He says the publication was part-truth, part-fabrication.
He has apologised for certain remarks.He has apologised for certain remarks.
"I apologise to Zhenya Chirikova, Bozhena Rynska and all those who were affected and insulted in my private telephone conversations," he wrote in a blog piece on the Ekho Moskvy website."I apologise to Zhenya Chirikova, Bozhena Rynska and all those who were affected and insulted in my private telephone conversations," he wrote in a blog piece on the Ekho Moskvy website.
But Mr Nemtsov, a veteran liberal politician, also accused Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Kremlin chief of staff Vladislav Surkov of a "provocation". In the recordings, he could be heard using crude language to criticise Ms Chirikova, an environmental campaigner, and Ms Rynska, a journalist.
Mr Nemtsov, a veteran liberal politician, accused Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Kremlin chief of staff Vladislav Surkov on Tuesday of a "provocation".
"They are brazenly and unforgivably violating my constitutional right and the right of my interlocutors to private communications and telephone conversations," he said, accusing them of "criminal activities"."They are brazenly and unforgivably violating my constitutional right and the right of my interlocutors to private communications and telephone conversations," he said, accusing them of "criminal activities".
He said Mr Putin and Mr Surkov were seeking to disrupt an opposition meeting planned for 24 December. He said Mr Putin and Mr Surkov were seeking to disrupt an opposition rally planned for 24 December.
'Dirty trick'
Appearing together on independent TV channel Dozhd (Rain), Ms Chirikova and Mr Nemtsov said those behind the phone tap had not only failed to split the opposition but had achieved the opposite result.
""Zhenya [Chirikova] and I... decided that we would be even more united in moving hand in hand towards our common goal, which is to rid Russia of the crooks and thieves," said Mr Nemtsov, disparagingly referring to Mr Putin's ruling United Russia party.
Ms Chirikova described the release of the recordings as "an absolutely dirty trick".
"To be honest, I am outraged about our taxes being used on able-bodied men invading privacy," she said.
Our correspondent says it is widely assumed that the Russian security services listen into and record phone calls, and that prominent anti-government figures are targeted.Our correspondent says it is widely assumed that the Russian security services listen into and record phone calls, and that prominent anti-government figures are targeted.
But he says the fact that six hours of recordings have been given to the website for publication is unusual.But he says the fact that six hours of recordings have been given to the website for publication is unusual.
Earlier this month Mr Nemtsov was among at least 250 protesters arrested during protests in Moscow over alleged fraud in the parliamentary election.Earlier this month Mr Nemtsov was among at least 250 protesters arrested during protests in Moscow over alleged fraud in the parliamentary election.
Mr Putin's party, United Russia, won but with just under 50% of the vote, a sharp drop in its support.Mr Putin's party, United Russia, won but with just under 50% of the vote, a sharp drop in its support.