Zhirinovsky boycotts Duma

Moscow - Vladimir Zhirinovsky, the ultra-nationalist politician, led his supporters out of parliament yesterday in protest at what he said was an official campaign of harassment against his Liberal Democratic Party.

His boycott, which bore signs of being short-term, was joined by Communists and Agrarians, who backed Mr Zhirinovsky's protest over an alleged attempt on his life earlier this week.

The three opposition groups briefly deprived the State Duma of a working majority but the Communists and Agrarians later returned to the chamber. Reuter