Vladimir Putin
Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Russian law enforcers in curbing the illegal protests are more “restrained and liberal” than their counterparts in Europe. The head of state said at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Sochi, reports “Interfax”.
Western journalists asked Putin how he evaluates the actions of security forces against opposition movements and actions.
“Russian law enforcement agencies behave much more restrained and liberal than their counterparts in some European countries, where to disperse the demonstrators used tear gas and batons,” — said the Russian leader. “We have, thank God, it was not necessary”, — he added.
According to Putin, law enforcement in Russia do not go beyond existing legislation and what is permitted. “And will operate so on, keeping order, discipline, but also the right of all citizens to Express their point of view, but within the law,” he said.
On April 29 the Moscow police said that about 250 people took part in an unauthorized action “Open Russia” in the capital, violations of public order admitted was not.
Illegal demonstrations in Russia took place in several cities on March 26. In Moscow, according to official information, the March was attended by about seven or eight thousand people. About 600 people were arrested.