Opposition lawmaker ousted in Russia

Russian lawmaker Gennady Gudkov said Friday he was ousted from Russia's lower house of Parliament because of his opposition to President Vladimir Putin. He was ousted after investigators called for him to be expelled so he can face charges of fraudulent business activity for allegedly engaging in commercial activity while serving as a lawmaker, RIA Novosti said. Members of Russia's State Duma are immune from prosecution. Gudkov, 56, a former KGB colonel, said the charges are being used as payback for his involvement in anti-Kremlin protests, the state-run Russian news agency reported. "I will leave, but will return to help build a new Russia that our children and grandchildren can be proud of," Gudkov told fellow lawmakers. "And this will be soon -- very soon." Gudkov said he will appeal to Russia's Supreme Court.