Thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Moscow Monday to contest Vladimir Putin's victory as three-term incumbent to Russia's presidency. Demonstrators shouted shame! and Russia without Putin! as police and security forces broke up crowds and arrested many, the Associated Press reported. Sunday, March 4 Vladimir Putin won his bid for reelection as President of Russia for the third time, with a reported 63 percent of the vote. Opponents point to a heavily slanted campaign in Putin's favor and polling violations nationwide.
Masked participants shout slogans during a protest demanding fair elections in central Moscow March 5, 2012. Russian police detained at least 100 people at protests calling on Vladimir Putin to resign after a presidential election they say was unfairly skewed in his favor.ReutersOpposition supporters gather before a protest demanding fair elections in central Moscow March 5, 2012. International monitors said Russia's presidential election was clearly skewed to favour Vladimir Putin, a verdict that could spur protesters planning to take to the streets to challenge his right to rule.ReutersOpposition leader Boris Nemtsov addresses the crowd during a protest demanding fair elections in central Moscow March 5, 2012. International monitors said Russia's presidential election was clearly skewed to favour Vladimir Putin, a verdict that could spur protesters planning to take to the streets to challenge his right to rule. Background reads "Honest..."ReutersPolice detain a participant during an opposition protest in Moscow March 5, 2012. Russian police detained at least 100 people at protests calling on Vladimir Putin to resign after a presidential election they say was unfairly skewed in his favor.ReutersA participant holds a placard displaying an image of Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin during a protest demanding fair elections held in the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don March 5, 2012. ReutersA participant wears a badge saying "12 more years? No!" during a protest demanding fair elections in central Moscow March 5, 2012. International monitors said Russia's presidential election was clearly skewed to favour Vladimir Putin, a verdict that could spur protesters planning to take to the streets to challenge his right to rule.ReutersOpposition leader Vladimir Ryzhkov speaks during a protest demanding fair elections in central Moscow March 5, 2012. International monitors said Russia's presidential election was clearly skewed to favour Vladimir Putin, a verdict that could spur protesters planning to take to the streets to challenge his right to rule.ReutersRussian police move into position during an opposition rally in St.Petersburg March 5, 2012. Thousands of protesters chanting "Russia without Putin" took to the streets of Moscow and St Petersburg on Monday to challenge Vladimir Putin's victory in a presidential election which international monitors said was unfair. ReutersPolice detain a participant during an opposition protest in Moscow March 5, 2012. Russian police detained at least 100 people at protests calling on Vladimir Putin to resign after a presidential election they say was unfairly skewed in his favor.Reuters
