Putin wins Russian election amid widespread calls of fraud...

[melon]

Maybe they had a psychic Octopus??

Psychic Octopus ...

I need me one of those

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[kalniel]

550 arrests from post-election protests...

[TheAnimus]

Thing is these protests are the unofficial kind, as such the russian police reserve the right to arrest people partaking even if they are compeletely peaceful.

The issue is, sadly, I think laws such as this are required, just look how many people are members of a reprehensible subreddit or newsgroup. Its very easy to get 1,000+ people who can shut down something rather unjustly. Even if you think its just there are also health and safety concerns. I know that sounds stupid, but people really do get hurt in these large scale protests, and not just newspaper vendors

[kalniel]

Fair point, and as long as they're well treated it's a far cry from just disappearing protesters or worse as seen in other countries.

[Mutley]

I think what concerns a lot of people is Putin's background - once KGB, always KGB.

That may be valid, who knows? Or it may be that coming from a background of 'doing what is required to get the job done', he sees what needs to happen in Russia and isn't scared of bending or breaking the rules to get it done. That is a dangerous road to travel though; Start out as the benign and beneficial autocrat knowing what is best for the country, end up being a dictator who doesn't stand for any disagreement, whose violent actions can always be justified for the greater good.

[TheAnimus]

Start out as the benign and beneficial autocrat knowing what is best for the country, end up being a dictator who doesn't stand for any disagreement, whose violent actions can always be justified for the greater good.

As if that has ever happened in Russia!

Actually Starlin was never benign.

[sweey]

Propaganda works both ways - it would be nice if the likes of the BBC could remember this.

Russia isn't a 'friend' of the UK so news outlets will aways say a victory for someone pro-Russia, anti-UK like Putin is down to vote rigging. I'm sure it happened but it also happens both ways.

[Sputnik]

Yes, Just look at them corrupt Russian politicians. Look how bad they are and while we are busy focusing on them maybe we will forget about our own MP's claiming thousands for things they are not entitled to or how David Kelly suspiciously died when his knowledge might have exposed people.

I think Putin is at least trying to stamp out corruption at the top level. I think with him at least they won't have people like Abramovich buying state owned oil companies for a song.

For too long the oligarchs had too much control, Those who didn't listen to Putin when he warned them to pay their taxes ended up paying in the long run.

[kalniel]

Yes, Just look at them corrupt Russian politicians. Look how bad they are and while we are busy focusing on them maybe we will forget about our own MP's claiming thousands for things they are not entitled to

Come on, there's a slight difference between an MP trying to grease his own duck pond and assassinating persona non grata.

[Sputnik]

Come on, there's a slight difference between an MP trying to grease his own duck pond and assassinating persona non grata.

There is also a difference between a man committing suicide and a man who was killed and made to look like he committed suicide.

Russia has suffered it's fair share of bad leaders but, I don't think Putin is one of them to be honest. At least Putin does things for the people of the country.