Multiple Sources: Vote Rigging and Protests in Russia

[ixcuincle]

Putin sure has been there a long time

[visionary]

https://twitter.com/#!/Leila1T

Police gather in Moscow's October Sq ahead of protests @jamiecoo in Moscow to present @BBCNewshour at 1200 GMT

http://twitter.com/Leila1T/status/165673373735727104/photo/1

http://en.rian.ru/society/20120204/171129834.html

Protest day kicked off in Russia with rallies in the country’s Far East, where several hundreds took to the streets in the blistering cold on Saturday.

A rally in Khabarovsk, where temperature stood at minus 21 degrees Celsius, gathered some 250 people, regional news agency Vostok-Media said.

In Vladivostok, between 100 and 250 marched through city streets before stopping for a round of protest speeches at the downtown Svetlanskaya Ulitsa.

The Liberal Democratic Party held its own separate events in both cities, citing ideological disagreements with organizers. Each was attended by several dozens of party supporters.

https://twitter.com/#!/fieldproducer

We're also expecting both pro & anti Putin demos in Moscow later, big crowds likely despite the temperature potentially being as low as -25°C

12 minutes ago

[visionary]

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/02/20122473629270737.html?utm_content=automateplus&utm_campaign=Trial6&utm_source=SocialFlow&utm_term=tweets&utm_medium=MasterAccount

Tens of thousands of protesters have gathered in the Russian capital to challenge Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's grip on power, a month before he stands in presidential elections.

Activists braved freezing temperatures on Saturday as they began marching though Moscow in a bid to demand a free and fair presidential poll.

Government supporters, meanwhile, began to gather in the west of the city for a rival rally, amid increasing complaints claiming that teachers, nurses and state employees had been offered cash incentives or even given orders to attend the pro-Putin event.

"Between 87,000 and 90,000 are attending the [pro-Putin] rally that has started at Poklonnaya Gora" in western Moscow, capital city police said in a statement. "Around 23,000 are taking part in the [opposition] march."

[ACW]

giggle

I don't get it.

[visionary]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/story/2012-02-04/russia-putin-protest/52959634/1

MOSCOW (AP) – Their frozen breath rising in the brutally frigid air, tens of thousands of protesters marched through downtown Moscow on Saturday to keep up the pressure on Prime Minister Vladimir Putin one month before a presidential election that could extend his rule for six more years.

The protesters have few illusions that they can drive Putin from power now, but for the first time in years Russians are challenging his control and demanding that their voices be heard.

Wrapped in furs or dressed for the ski slope, as many as 120,000 people turned out for the third and perhaps largest mass demonstration since Putin's party won a parliamentary election Dec. 4 with the help of what appeared to be widespread fraud.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/09/us-russia-election-gorbachev-idUSTRE8181Z420120209

Gorbachev: Russia faces turmoil as Putin won't change

....But Gorbachev, reviled by many Russians for unleashing the bold reforms that helped sink the Soviet Union, said Putin's continued rule put Russia's future into question.

"I don't think he will be able to change course and I am saying we need a change of the entire system, not just handouts or sporadic steps," Gorbachev told students in a lecture at Moscow's International University.

"If he cannot change things and change himself, and I think that will be very difficult for him, then I think people will pour out into the streets."

The father of "perestroika" (restructuring) and "glasnost" (openness) advised protesters who have come out in their tens of thousands over recent weeks against alleged vote-rigging to ensure their demands were clear and to remain strong.

Gorbachev warned protesters to guard against provocateurs who he said would try to incite people to burn down Moscow and thus force a clampdown by the security services.

[ACW]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/vladimir-putin-my-vision-for-a-better-russia/2012/02/07/gIQAdLlZzQ_story.html

Next up: Hamas talking about the need for peace in the Middle East.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/18/us-russia-rallies-idUSTRE81H0O720120218

Tens of thousands of people demonstrated in cities across Russia in support of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Saturday in a show of force two weeks before a March 4 presidential election that is expected to return him to the Kremlin.

The rallies began in the Pacific coast port of Vladivostok and culminated with a late-night demonstration on wheels in Moscow, where motorists took to the streets with slogans such as "Putin rules" on their cars.

"One wish unites us: we want to be sure of tomorrow," said a declaration read out at the rally in St. Petersburg, which like many others was organized by trade unions that have close government ties.

The declaration urged Russians to vote on March 4 and "defend the right to the stable future."

In central Moscow, about 10 people staging a street protest against Putin were detained, Ekho Moskvy radio reported.

The pro-Putin rallies are aimed at showing that the prime minister, who could remain president until 2024 if he wins two straight terms, has majority support despite the biggest opposition protests of his 12-year rule.

[HailGreen28]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/vladimir-putin-my-vision-for-a-better-russia/2012/02/07/gIQAdLlZzQ_story.html

Next up: Hamas talking about the need for peace in the Middle East.

So is this Putin's excuse? Or is he sincere about trying to make a transistion without typical western politicking?

I would think with that attitude, Putin and his allies would NEVER allow true democracy, rule by the masses.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/18/us-russia-rallies-idUSTRE81H0O720120218

Putin till 2024 it is, then. Whether he officially wins the next two terms or not.

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/02/24/us-russia-election-idUSTRE81N0CF20120224

Putin to win Russia presidential vote: last major poll

Vladimir Putin will win about two thirds of the vote in Russia's presidential election, avoiding a humiliating second round run-off in his bid to extend his rule by another six years, the last major poll before the vote showed on Friday.

Prime Minister Putin hopes to convincingly win the March 4 election to take the sting out of a growing urban protest movement which casts him as an authoritarian leader who rules through a corrupt and tightly controlled political system.

The survey from Levada Center, Russia's biggest independent pollster, showed Putin will win 63-66 percent of the vote on March 4, far ahead of his closest rival.

[visionary]

https://twitter.com/#!/AJELive

AFP: Russia averts plot to assassinate Putin after March 4 elections: state TV 12:21 AM

https://twitter.com/#!/JJordan334

Russian and Ukrainian security services have foiled an assasination attempt against Vladimir Putin, according to state tv

12:16 AM

[ACW]

Putin foes encircle center of Moscow

Russian whistleblower charged with slander :mad:

Assassination attempt greeted w/ skepticism

**** you Putin you KGB thug.

[ACW]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/in-putins-russia-allegations-of-a-kgb-like-plot/2012/02/29/gIQAMlrbiR_story.html

MOSCOW — Sounding as if he was quoting from a dusty KGB manual or a bad movie script, Vladi*mir Putin warned Wednesday that his opponents are prepared to murder one of their own so they can blame it on him.

Really?

[visionary]

https://twitter.com/#!/SkyNewsBreak

Official count estimates Vladimir Putin has won Russian presidential election with over 63% of vote

1:53 PM

Vladimir Putin says he has won Russian presidential election in "open, transparent and fair contest" http://bit.ly/y6deuV

1:54 PM

http://www.buzzfeed.com/daves4/27-reasons-why-putin-definitely-won-the-russian-pr

27 Reasons Why Vladimir Putin Definitely Won The Russian Presidential Election

:ols::ols:

[visionary]

http://news.sky.com/home/world-news/article/16182345

Arrests At Protests After Putin Election Win

Opponents of Vladimir Putin are gathering in Moscow for a mass protest after his disputed victory, with reports of arrests both in the capital and in St Petersburg.

The news agency AFP reports that Eduard Limonov, an opposition leader of the Other Russia movement and 50 of his supporters were arrested at a demonstration outside the central election commission in Moscow.

Meanwhile, in Russia's second city of St Petersburg, police have reportedly arrested dozens of protesters from a demonstration of about 1,500 people, including local deputies from the liberal Yabloko party.

Opposition leaders have accused the authorities of widespread fraud and claim many people were allowed to cast multiple votes.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/05/world/europe/russia-election/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

International observers blasted Russia's presidential election Monday, saying: "The point of an election is that the outcome should be uncertain. This was not the case in Russia."

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looked set to win Sunday's vote and return to the office he held until he was forced out by term limits four years ago.

But European monitors expressed disappointment and frustration with the way he won.

They said they observed ballot stuffing and other irregularities in about a third of polling stations they monitored, and an uneven playing field in the run-up to the election.

Sounding somewhat exasperated, the Council of Europe's Tiny Kox urged Russia "to have a fair election," saying "it's not that difficult."

http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2012/03/201235152444464630.html

Thousands rally against Putin's poll victory

Al Jazeera's Christopher True, reporting from the Pushkin Square, said: "Several thousand people are gathered here in the square, everyone I have spoken to feels the election was unfair and the number manipulated.

"They say they are confident that the protest movement will continue and that the recent demonstrations are the start of a burgeoning civil society in Russia."

Many of the protesters at Pushkin Square on Monday felt the election was unfair [Christopher True/Al Jazeera]

The rally, which follows a series of massive previous protests against Putin's rule, was sanctioned by authorities.

Police said that 15,000 people were taking part in a counter rally in support of Putin outside the Kremlin walls.

Al Jazeera's Jonah Hull, reporting from Red Square next to the Kremlin, said the centre of Moscow was swarming with police and security services for the two rallies.

"Opposition protesters are saying that they reject the election result. They are rallying in Pushkin Square not too far from the Kremlin.

"They were given permission just to rally for one hour and were then expected to disperse. The protesters have said they will try to form a human ring around the Kremlin."

[G.A.C.O.L.B.]

Sounding somewhat exasperated, the Council of Europe's Tiny Kox urged Russia "to have a fair election," saying "it's not that difficult."

No ****ing way that's real.

EDIT

Lmao. And it is. Jesus...

http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/AssemblyList/AL_MemberDetails.asp?memberID=5246

[visionary]

No ****ing way that's real.

EDIT

Lmao. And it is. Jesus...

http://assembly.coe.int/ASP/AssemblyList/AL_MemberDetails.asp?memberID=5246

Ha ha! I noticed that too and had to read it again to make sure.

I wonder if it's an assumed name.

---------- Post added March-5th-2012 at 12:58 PM ----------

https://twitter.com/#!/BreakingNews

Police move in on protesters refusing to leave Pushkinskaya Square in Moscow after opposition rally following Putin's win - @RT_com

12:53 PM

https://twitter.com/#!/markmackinnon

Pushkin Square now completely surrounded by thousands of riot police w helmets on batons out. Moving in on remaining protesters. Arrests.

12:46 PM

Police now flushing Pushkin Square. Tahrir that was not.

12:54 PM

Small number of protesters now doubling back to Pushkin Square. Brave speaker has climbed empty fountain, shouting "we are citizens!"

1:00 PM

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vova-moskva#utm_campaign=t.co&utm_source=10491061&utm_medium=social

livestream of arrests.

[ixcuincle]

[visionary]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-17653930

Moscow Red Square opened to opposition supporters

The Russian authorities have allowed opposition supporters to roam freely around Red Square in Moscow but prevented a group from pitching a tent.

Protesters were not allowed to demonstrate on Red Square during the elections in December and March.

The square was sealed off last weekend when activists attempted to gather there for a silent protest, and arrests were made.

But on Sunday, the atmosphere on the square was relaxed, correspondents say. According to Reuters news agency, "hundreds" of demonstrators turned out.

[visionary]

http://blogs.aljazeera.com/europe/2012/05/13/moscovites-march

Moscovites on the march

Moscow poets and writers led a "controlled walk" on Sunday across the centre of the capital to exercise their right to march without harassment. True to their word the police held back. To avoid a confrontation, nobody carried any placards or shouted much in the way of slogans.

A Mexican wave of applause rippled along the road from Pushkin Square to Chistiye Prudy as the walkers realised with a frisson of excitement just how many of them were in step.

Contrary to official police figures of 2,000, the actual number was likely far greater because at one point along Petrovsky and Rozhdestvensky Boulevards, the crowd stretched as far as my eyes could see.

I caught up with Boris Akunin, a celebrated writer of detective fiction.

"I'm overwhelmed completely. A writer's job is a solitary profession. But when you walk out on to the street and you see how many people are worried, are anxious about the same problems that worry you it's a shock".

[China]

[visionary]

http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/06/11/us-russia-protests-idUSBRE85A07W20120611

Police search Putin opponents' homes before rally

Russian police and investigators searched the homes of several opposition leaders on Monday, a day before a planned protest, Russia's main criminal investigation agency said.

The Federal Investigative Committee said it planned to conduct about 10 searches in connection with a criminal investigation into violence against police at a protest held in Moscow on the eve of President Vladimir Putin's inauguration on May 7.

[visionary]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/12/moscow-prepares-mass-protest-putin

Moscow prepares for mass protest against Putin

Moscow is bracing itself for a mass anti-Putin protest on Tuesday that will be a key test of whether a Kremlin campaign of intimidation in recent months has succeeded in cowing the country's nascent opposition movement.

Tensions have been rising in the Russian capital before the demonstration, which has a licence for 50,000 attendees, after police searched the homes of prominent activists and their families on Monday.

Opposition figureheads including the blogger Aleksei Navalny, Left Front leader Sergei Udaltsov and TV star Ksenia Sobchak were targeted by police and have also been summoned for questioning at 11am local time, meaning they are likely to miss the first hours of the rally.

The searches – and a controversial new law regulating protests – are widely considered to be an attempt by the authorities to fracture Russia's opposition, which became a force to be reckoned with after widespread fraud allegations during December parliamentary elections pushed people on to the streets in numbers not seen since the fall of the Soviet Union.

While more than a dozen mass demonstrations during the winter and spring months have produced few obvious results, there is little sign the movement's momentum is waning.

Beginning on Pushkin Square, Tuesday's march through central Moscow starts at midday before culminating in a rally due to end by 6pm. A demonstration is also planned in Saint Petersburg.

[visionary]

http://edition.cnn.com/2012/06/12/world/europe/russia-protest/index.html

Russia protesters demand Putin's resignation

Tens of thousands of anti-government protesters marched in Moscow on Tuesday, rejecting the legitimacy of President Vladimir Putin and demanding new elections, a prominent opposition leader said.

"We believe that his presidency right now is not legitimate at all," former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov told CNN from the rally.

The elections in March that returned Putin to the presidency after four years as prime minister "were not free, they were not fair and the results were not credible," Kasyanov said.

The only thing that Putin should do now is "sit with us on a round table and discuss the terms and conditions of his departure," Kasyanov said.

https://twitter.com/#!/alburov

[visionary]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/jun/13/russian-official-death-threats-journalist-forest?CMP=twt_gu

Russian official made death threats to journalist in forest, claims newspaper

A top Russian official summoned a journalist to a one-on-one meeting in a forest and threatened to personally arrange his killing, according to one of the country's leading newspapers.

Without providing any explanation, aides working for Alexander Bastrykin, the head of Russia's investigative committee, which has powers similar to those of the FBI in America, drove Novaya Gazeta's deputy editor, Sergei Sokolov, to a forest outside Moscow after a organised press trip and told security guards to leave them alone, it is claimed.

Bastrykin, in an "extremely emotional condition", then expressed his opinions about Novaya Gazeta's journalism and made threats against Sokolov's life, suggesting he would himself oversee such an assassination. The allegations were made by the editor of Novaya Gazeta, Dmitry Muratov, in an open letter to Bastrykin published on Wednesday.

As a result of the alleged threats to his life, Sokolov has decided to leave Russia and is now outside the country, an editorial colleague of Sokolov's at Novaya Gazeta told the Guardian.