Putin adviser quits over increasing state control

One of President Vladimir Putin's economic advisers has offered his resignation, complaining that he is no longer able to speak his mind, according to Russian news agencies.

Andrei Illarionov was stripped of his duties as envoy to the G8 nations earlier this year after becoming increasingly critical of a return to state control of the economy.

Mr Illarionov, 44, said last week that he believed political freedom had declined in Russia and government-controlled corporations had stifled competition and ignored public interests.

"I considered it important to remain in this post as long as I had the possibility to do something," M Illarionov said. "Until recently, no one put any restrictions on me expressing my point of view. Now the situation has changed."