Putin’s Russia and the Freedom of Expression

Yakov Savitskiy

The Story Brother of Russian Deputy Prime

Minister Dvorkovich detained by police for birthday banner celebrating Vladimir Putin’s 61st birthday

Dvorkovich and three others detained by police and held in police station

Putin’s Beginnings Born in 1952 as only child in family of

factory workers Graduated from law department of

university in Leningrad (St. Petersburg) Joined foreign intelligence service of

KGB in 1975 right out of college Rose through ranks of KGB until

resignation in August ,1991 Took new job as chairman in St.

Petersburg mayor’s office

Cont. Transferred to work directly under then

President Boris Yeltsin as first deputy manager in 1996 after rising through the ranks of St. Petersburg city government

July 1998, new director of FSS (Federal Security Service) which succeeded KGB

August 1999, appointed Prime Minister by Yeltsin

March 2000, elected President

2008 Election Putin was re-elected for his 2nd term

in 2004 He could not run again in 2008 as it

would violate constitution Law changed extending Pres. Terms

from 4 to 6 years that year His “preferred” candidate, Dmitry

Medvedev was elected that year and Putin was elected as Prime Minister

2012 March 2012, Putin elected as

President again Chose Medvedev as nominee for

Prime Minister

Is Russia really a Democracy?

Putin has been in power since 1999 Medvedev’s Presidency said to be

“figurehead” Duma passed laws oppressing

freedom of speech and blasphemy as well as outlawing LGBT Activism in 2013

Government prosecuting writers who speak out on issues like Chechnya Conflict

Cont. 3rd term called “Clampdown on civil

society by a foreign minister” Mikhail Khodorkovsky story

Sources Moscow Times NPR.org Biography.com Amnesty.org