The Times published a large article under the headline 'Tsar' Vladimir faces new unrest, warns Navalny. The article is devoted to one of the prominent figures of Russia's White Revolution, Akexei Navalny, who was interviewed by The Times' Moscow correspondent. Mr. Navalny said in particular:
"Putin had begun his third term with a policy of repression at home while seeking compromise with the West to ensure that he and his ruling clan can continue to enjoy their wealth abroad.
I think people are smart enough to understand that neither Vladimir Putin nor the people around him will easily give up the most important thing for them to be in power, the opportunity for uncontrolled enrichment and to transform themselves into 21st-century tsars and emperors.
Putin was popular early in his rule but now he was emulating the dictatorship of President Viktor Lukashenko in Belarus, using the courts and repressive laws against dissent. The regime's biggest foreign policy concern now was the threat of travel sanctions abroad - The List of Magnitsky.
It's pointless to be a billionaire in Russia if you can't allow yourself a villa in Switzerland or to have a wonderful time in Chelsea.
"In less than a year the charismatic leader of the street protests has become the most serious threat to Putin since the former KGB agent came to power in 2000", The Times says from its part and continues: "Street protests resume on Saturday in a test of the opposition's ability to keep pressure on the regime".
Navalny acknowledged that the pro-democracy struggle could be a long one. "I think people are smart enough to understand that neither Vladimir Putin nor the people around him will easily give up the most important thing for them to be in power, the opportunity for uncontrolled enrichment and to transform themselves into 21st-century tsars and emperors", he said.
According to Navalny, Putin was popular early in his rule but now he was emulating the dictatorship of President Viktor Lukashenko in Belarus, using the courts and repressive laws against dissent.
Harsh sentences were intended to intimidate the opposition, says Navalny, but it had also made many activists even more determined.
Navalny said that he would stand as a presidential candidate if the opposition won democratic reforms and forced Putin to concede early elections".
Department of Monitoring
Kavkaz Center
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