Moscow (dpa) – Opponents of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin braved wintry conditions Sunday to form a human chain twisting through Moscow. Police estimated that about 11,000 people took part in forming the 15.6-kilometre-long chain. Organizers estimated the number of participants at more than 30,000 people. Putin, who held the presidency from 2000 to 2008, is widely expected to win the March 4 election. However, lingering anger over vote rigging in December parliamentary elections has translated into regular anti-Putin protests over the last few months. “Russia without Putin,” chanted the protesters, who held hands as they ringed the city's green belt in a demonstration that was meant to convey the idea of a closed opposition. Many wore a white ribbon on their lapel as an additional symbol of solidarity. Although there have been larger protests since December, the 30,000 plus number was significant if protesters were to complete the chain. Organizers had said 35,000 was the optimal number. A Pro-Putin group rallied across from the chain near Park Kultury wearing hearts reading “Putin loves everyone.” There was also a spontaneous anti-Putin demonstration in Moscow's famous Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, the heart of the Russian Orthodox faith, when the female punk band Pussy Riots broke out into an impromptu punk prayer calling for the end of Putin's rule. Videos online showed the masked group, which quickly departed the church. Officials are seeking the group on charges of disturbing the peace. Other smaller protests against Putin were reported in St Petersburg and other large cities. In St Petersburg, representatives from parties like the center-left A Just Russia and Yabloko, which was not allowed to contest next week's election, spoke. Opposition leaders have called for mass protests in the event of a Putin victory next week. Based on the ongoing protests, there are questions as to whether Putin can win outright in a first ballot. Opponents are hoping to force him into a run-off. Yabloko leaders have called upon people to strike through all names on next week's ballot, thus spoiling the ballot and making it unusable for vote fixing. Alternately, they advocated a write-in campaign for Yabloko's candidate, Grigori Yavlinski. BM ShortURL: http://goo.gl/InU7R Tags: Elections, Protest, Putin, Russia Section: Europe, Latest News
