Russia: Vladimir Putin accuses BBC of supporting opposition leader Alexei Navalny
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to a question from a BBC reporter on opposition leader Alexei Navalny by accusing the British broadcaster of supporting the Kremlin critic.
“When I heard you were from the BBC, I didn’t doubt for a moment you would ask precisely that question because it’s in a certain sense propaganda of the people whom you support,” Putin said answering a question about whether he sees Navalny as a political competitor following nationwide protests organised by the opposition leader.
Navalny has been sentenced to 30 days behind bars after being detained Monday on his way to a protest in Moscow against government corruption, where hundreds were arrested in the city centre.
“Any form of protest, including demonstrations, should remain in the framework of the law,” Putin said. “Those who violate the law must answer for these violations.” “It’s one thing to organise protests, and another to use these protests as an instrument for provocations and exacerbating the situation for self-promotion,” Putin said, without mentioning Navalny by name in his customary manner.
“This is done not to improve the situation in the country, not to solve people’s problems, but to solve one’s own problems that have to do with self-publicity.” Navalny …read more
