http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/30/world/europe/30russia.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
Former chess champion, Gerry Kasparov, warned that President Putin and his party were growing increasingly repressive. After being held in prison for five days for leading an opposition march, upon release Mr. Kasparov declared that "the failure of the government to abide by its own laws and Constitution'could result in a catastrophe for the whole country.' " While in prison Mr. Kasparov claimed that he was denied the right to a lawyer and that the courts would not allow evidence to be submitted for his defense. His release came on the same day as a public speech by Putin to gain votes for his party during parliamentary elections to be held on December 2nd. The Kremlin reputed the statements, saying that Kasparov was arrested for holding "an unauthorized march and thus had faced appropriate punishment." Not only is the Kremlin imprisoning opposition groups, but recently the government has gained control of Russian television and shut down most, if not all, non-government organizations (NGOs).
Throughout this project I have found repeated reports of President Putin's disregard for his country's Constitution. Everyday it seems like Russia looks more and more like the Soviet Union of sixteen years ago. This is just another example of Mr. Putin's efforts to keep control of the government. Eventhough his "presidency" will end soon there has been speculation that Putin will continue to wield power from another position, such as prime minister, or even just as a puppet master pulling the strings of whatever candidate wins the next presidency (more than likely the candidate that Putin gives his support to). Russia has prospered under Putin just as they did under Stalin, but also similar to Stalin's regime, the question must be asked, at what price will the people have to pay for "stability?"
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