Exiled Russian multi-millionaire Boris Berezovsky called Friday for "direct action" to overthrow President Vladimir Putin, prompting Moscow to renew an extradition request for the Russian. But the tycoon tempered an earlier call for the use of "force" to oust Putin, saying he did not support violent means, after both Russia and Britain condemned his initial comments. "Elections are not a viable means of ensuring democratic change in Russia. Therefore I do support using other methods to push for a change back towards democracy," he said. "However, I wish to make very clear that all of these methods would be bloodless... I do support direct action. I do not advocate or support violence."
His comments came in a statement to "clarify" remarks in a newspaper interview in which he called for the use of force -- triggering immediate denunciations from Moscow and London and police to take notice. The Russian tycoon, who fled his homeland in 2000 and is now based in Britain, told The Guardian daily that the current Kremlin regime could not be ousted democratically and there was no other option but force. |