Putin rally organisers fined over crowd numbers

supports of vladimir putin have been found on the wrong side of the law in Russia moscow authorities have hit organizers of a demonstration in support of the Prime minister with a token fifty euro fine their offence having more protestors turning up to their rally then previously announced to officials a breach of civil law they expected fifteen thousand to attend the Interior ministry said over one hundred and thirty thousand took part The opposition which organized this event yesterday has described the pro Putin rally as a sham they say the figures have been vastly inflated and the demonstrators were paid to protest after being bused in from other parts of the country Independent media reports say the rallies were organized by state owned companies and government agencies This opposition demonstration comes as Putin prepares for a third run for the Russian presidency the vote takes place on March the fourth