Putin: Protesters should not be sent to prison

(Moscow News – themoscownews.com –  David Burghardt – December 20, 2012)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said he does not believe that those who participate in mass protests should be sent to prison, but added that anyone who resists police authority should be punished.

“I don’t think that participation in a mass protest, even if it was held in breach of law, that [people] should be sent to prison,” Putin said during his annual “meet the press” event aired live on national television.

Putin added that he believes that “striking law enforcement members is inadmissable.” Putin said he holds this position not only as the head of state, but also as an individual who has basic education in law.

The Russian president reminded the large group of journalists that any type of resistance to police or even an attempt to show force against them in the US legal system is met with extremely harsh reprecussions.

“If we allowed anyone to [show force against police authorities], regardless of their political views, we would destroy the the legal system of the country,” Putin said.