MOSCOW: A Russian judge yesterday convicted eight defendants of assaulting police during a protest against Vladimir Putin, in what activists called a “show trial” designed to make clear the president would tolerate no dissent.
Outside the courthouse, police pushed into a crowd that had gathered to support the defendants, grabbing people and hauling them away as others shouted: “Shame!” Police said they detained about 200 people for attempting to violate public order.
Sentencing was postponed until Monday, meaning it will be revealed after tomorrow’s close of the Sochi Winter Olympics, a prestige project for Putin.
Reuters
