07/02/2012 / RUSSIA
Cash handouts to support Putin caught on video
A Russian protester has posted a video that he claims shows demonstrators receiving cash handouts in exchange for participating in this weekend’s rally in support of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. The video supports allegations that many of those who turned out for the pro-Putin event were actually coerced into doing so.
Putin’s supporters decided to stage a rally at the capital’s symbolic Poklonnaya Hill on Saturday to counter an opposition demonstration the same day. Opposition leaders had called the protest as part of an ongoing movement to demand “free and fair elections” as Putin seeks a third term as president in the country’s March 4 ballot.
Yet there are those who claim support for Putin isn’t what it appears to be. Saturday’s pro-Putin rally has been tainted by accusations that many of the participants were state-employees who were either ordered or paid to be there.
Police reportedly said that as many as 90,000 people came out to rally for Putin on Saturday. In contrast, they reportedly estimated the turnout at the “free and fair elections” in the low tens of thousands [event organisers put the number significantly higher at 120,000].
Contributors
“As we approached Poklonnaya, we saw a woman handing out cash to rally participants – 1,000 rubles per person”
Evgeny R. lives in Moscow, where he works in the tourism industry. He accompanied a friend to Saturday’s pro-Putin rally at Poklonnaya Hill, where he filmed a woman allegedly handing out cash to protest participants.
A friend and I went to Saturday’s rally for free and fair elections before he had to leave to attend the pro-Putin demonstration. My friend works for a state-owned company, but I can’t disclose his company’s name. I can say that it’s an oil and gas company. My friend swears that he wasn’t paid to go to the pro-Putin rally, and he also claims that his job was never threatened if he chose not to go. But he did say he and his colleagues were ‘strongly encouraged’ to attend the event at Poklonnaya Hill.
He refused to discuss the subject any further after I repeatedly criticised him for participating in the pro-Putin rally. Another person I know told me a similar story. She works for Moscow’s subway system. She said that although she wasn’t threatened or paid to attend the demonstration, she and her colleagues were given a day off work in exchange for going.
We got to the rally at around 3 p.m. It was late and a lot of people were already leaving to go home. The majority of protesters headed toward the subway, but there was also a number of people who appeared to be waiting for special buses to shuttle them back to wherever they were going.
Even though we were late, my friend decided to go ahead to the meeting point. He asked me to photograph him standing in front of the stage, with the protests slogans behind him. He didn’t tell me what he wanted to use the pictures for. As we approached Poklonnaya, we saw a woman handing out cash to rally participants – 1,000 rubles (around $33 or 25 euros) per person. That’s what I filmed. After that, we took the photos my friend had asked me to take, and then we went home”.
Post written with freelance journalist Ostap Karmodi.
Comments
Pro-Putin meetings in Russia
Submitted by Natalya (not verified) on Thu, 23/02/2012 - 06:56.France 24 exposes any election in any African country very carefully. I watch France news during almost two months. But only today I have watched the topic about Presidential election in Russia. Unfortunately it doesn't describe the real situation. You took the one episode and try demonstrate than Russian people can support the current authority only at the base of the cash. Don't warry we support our stability without any payment. Our stable life doesn't cost 1000 rubles.
answer
Submitted by TurnerLucy34 (not verified) on Wed, 08/02/2012 - 01:55.The writing service should furnish students with the release just about essay order and this is very good that you offer scholars your stuff about this topic.
Nonsense!
Submitted by Galina (not verified) on Tue, 07/02/2012 - 19:55.My name is Galina. I am Russian. I live in the UK already 10 years.
I RESPECT VLADIMIR PUTIN V E R Y M U C H !!!!!
I W I S H VLADIMIR PUTIN WILL BE PRESIDENT OF RUSSIAN FEDERATION.
VLADIMIR PUTIN JUST R I G H T C A N D I D A T - FOR BE PRESIDENT.
I WISH VLADIMIR PUTIN GOOD LUCK, GOOD HEALTH AND ALL THE BEST!