Posted on 06/08/2012 7:50:10 PM PDT by Olog-hai
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law on Friday a bill that will dramatically increase fines for people who take part in protests that violate public order rules, just days ahead of the next planned rally against his 12-year rule.
Putin told a meeting of top judges in his native St. Petersburg that he decided to sign the bill despite objections from his own human rights adviser, Mikhail Fedotov, who asked the president to veto it.
Participants in protests where public order is violated could now face fines of 300,000 roubles ($9,100)—more than the average annual salary and up from 1,000 roubles. The organizers of such rallies could be fined up to 1 million roubles.
Putin, who has largely ignored a wave of protests that weakened his grip before his return to the presidency, said the law would prevent demonstrations from turning into the sort mass unrest seen in Europe, with cars being burnt and stores looted.
"By guaranteeing some citizens the right to express their opinions, including on the streets, society must protect other citizens from radicalism," he said.
Opposition leaders said the Kremlin rushed the law through so it could be in place before an opposition demonstration planned for Tuesday and say the bill could radicalize the opposition movement.
Just hours after the law was signed, Putin's opponents took to Twitter pledging their support for the rally, dubbed the March of Millions as a sequel to the violent 20,000-strong protest on the eve of Putin's third presidential inauguration last month. …
Rights activist Lev Ponomaryov said he believed Putin wanted to put pressure on would-be protesters by signing the bill. "I think this may cause the opposite reaction. I mean people will nevertheless come out into the squares," he said in a statement. …
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
Once Communist always communist ... once KGB always KGB. He is much like Obama, he wants to rule a country with an iron fist (even though I doubt Obama can make a fist).
We had the pigs living in our local parks....disgusting pieces of garbage...
Looks like he’s brooking no Occupunks.
If Obama had a son, he’s look and act just like Putin.
He’ll end like Mussolini.
Thanks Olog-hai.
completely different.
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