Ukraine-Style Protests Would Not Be Allowed in Russia – Putin

MOSCOW, December 19 (RIA Novosti) – Street protests such as those taking place in Ukraine would not be tolerated by the authorities in Russia, President Vladimir Putin said Thursday.

“If anyone crosses the line, the government is obliged…to impose order,” Putin said at his annual Q&A meeting with journalists in Moscow.

“Otherwise it could lead to chaos, which would have the most negative impact on the economy, social sphere and political conditions in the country.”

Any demonstration must remain within the law, Putin said. Russian laws ban any street rally without an official permit from municipal authorities, which is often refused on doubtful grounds.

Sergei Sobyanin, the Mayor of Moscow, has adopted a more open policy towards opposition protests since mass anti-Kremlin demonstrations erupted in December 2011 over alleged ballot-rigging in parliamentary elections.

A series of protest marches have received permits in the capital after negotiations on the route between opposition leaders and the authorities.

Ukrainian protesters have been camped out for weeks in the capital Kiev’s Independence Square, which has been dubbed “Euromaidan,” to demand the resignation of President Viktor Yanukovych over his refusal to sign an association agreement with the European Union.

Attempts by riot police to clear away protestors, sometimes violently, have been repeatedly rebuffed by the crowds, who occupied the City Hall and built barricades on the square.

Violent clashes broke out between riot police and demonstrators at an anti-Kremlin rally on Bolotnaya Square in Moscow on the eve of Putin’s inauguration as President in May 2012.

Some 650 people were detained and 82 police reported minor injuries. Law enforcement officials accused leftists activists of inciting violence but opposition protesters blamed riot police for provoking the clashes.

Police then spent weeks breaking up attempts by opposition protestors to "occupy" various public spaces in Moscow. Efforts to set up tent camps were swiftly crushed.

Twelve people are on trial over the Bolotnaya clashes and two have received jail sentences.

The Russian government increased fines for “unsanctioned rallies” after the incident by 150-fold, to 300,000 rubles ($9,300) for individuals and 1 million rubles ($30,000) for organizers.