Duma Commission Recommends Revoking Mandate Of Kremlin Critic

Embattled Duma deputy Gennady Gudkov

A parliamentary commission has recommended that Russia's lower house of parliament, the State Duma, consider revoking the mandate of a prominent Kremlin critic.

Russian investigators have asked the Duma to revoke the mandate of Gennady Gudkov, accusing him of being involved in commercial activities that are incompatible with his status as a deputy.

Gudkov, from the left-leaning A Just Russia, rejects the accusations.

He says prosecutors were acting on direct orders from the Kremlin ahead of an opposition rally in Moscow planned for September 15.

Gudkov is an organizer of the unsanctioned demonstration.

On September 10, a special parliamentary commission recommended putting the issue of revoking Gudkov's mandate to a vote expected on September 14.

United Russia majority faction leader Andrei Vorobyov said his faction will support the motion.

Based on reporting by Interfax and ITAR-TASS