Putin Belittles Russia’s Political Opposition
Prime Minister Vladimir Putin disparaged Russian dissidents in crude street language in an interview in Kommersant on August 30, and said they would keep getting beaten if they continued to hold unauthorized rallies.
The Associated Press comments that Putin has never shown much tolerance for dissent. As president he cracked down on opposition leaders and increased government control of the media. Now as prime minister, Putin still wields tremendous influence over policy, despite the presence of President Dmitry Medvedev.
Putin has been coy over whether he will run in the 2012 presidential election. He told journalists it was "complete gibberish" that he continues to run the country.
He also said that Mikhail Khodorkovsky deserved his punishment. Putin said that he was surprised to learn of the second case against Khodorkovsky. Khodorkovsky's supporters say the legal assault against him was punishment for challenging Putin.
Opposition leader Boris Nemtsov said the interview showed Putin to be "dishonest, ignorant and evil."