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                  Thousands Attend Anti-Putin Rally in Moscow

   Thousands of protesters gathered in Moscow to mark the first
   anniversary of an anti-Kremlin demonstration last year that ended in
   violence and with the arrest of hundreds of demonstrators.
   Monday`s rally in Moscow`s Bolotnaya Square marked last year`s protest,
   which fell the day before Vladimir Putin was sworn in for a third
   presidential term.
   Participants in Monday`s rally called on authorities to release some 26
   people facing charges related to last year`s demonstration.
   Opposition leader Alexei Navalny urged demonstrators to "throw Putin
   out of the Kremlin."
   Former Russian Deputy Prime Minister and opposition leader Boris
   Nemtsov said the protesters` demands remain the same as the year
   before: freedom for political prisoners, end to persecution and
   presidential term limits.
   "Our demands have not changed. Our demands are what they have always
   been: liberation of political prisoners, an end to political
   persecution and intimidation of the people. I mean the political trials
   against (Alexei) Navalny and (Sergei) Udaltsov. We demand a limitation
   to the powers of the president, who wants to rule (this country) for
   his entire life."
   Critics say that Mr. Putin`s first year back as President has been
   marked by new laws restricting freedom of assembly and independent
   non-governmental organizations.
   An estimated 15,000 people attended the rally, less than half of the
   50,000 estimated to have turned out one year ago.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/thousands-attend-antiputin-rally-in-m
   oscow/1655771.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/thousands-attend-antiputin-rally-in-moscow/1655771.html