Russian parliament oks heavy fines for protesters, putin giveskremlin jobs to ex-ministers
Russian parliament oks heavy fines for protesters, putin giveskremlin jobs to ex-ministers Business,Business News,Business Opportunities MOSCOW – President Vladimir Putin targeted those who dare oppose himTuesday, introducing draconian new fines for protesters and handingout Kremlin jobs to widely detested lieutenants despite the publicanger they have generated. A new law introducing a 200-fold increase in fines for taking partin unsanctioned protests was given preliminary approval by theKremlin-controlled lower house, setting the stage for tougheningPutin's crackdown on dissent. Opposition lawmakers denounced the new fines as an attempt tostifle criticism, warning that it would fuel broad outrage anddestabilize Russia by depriving the public of a way to expressdiscontent. Some warned that it may stop the middle class fromprotesting in Moscow but would fail to stem likely outbursts ofanger against a series of planned reforms that would hike energyprices and cut social bene...