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