It takes some guts to ask one of the most powerful people in the world, who is also known as nefarious, to ask this question. “ABC News” reporter Rachel Scott confronted Russian President Vladimir Putin at the press conference on Wednesday at the end of the summit with harsh words about his crackdown on political opponents: “My question is, Mr. President, what are you so afraid of?”
This after Scott accused the Russian ruler in front of the cameras in the presence of the world media: “The list of your political opponents who are dead, imprisoned or in prison is long.” Now he has also made sure that anyone who supports the imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny (45) can run for office.
Putin reacted without looking a bit embarrassed. He called Nawalny’s now banned organization “extremist”. She called for mass unrest – and Putin immediately tried to turn the tables.
Putin throws the ball back
Putin referred to the “Black Lives Matter” protests in the USA last year, which had caused “chaos” and “destruction”. Russia has “sympathy” for the USA and does not want such excesses to occur within its borders.
Reporter Scott persisted, denied Putin’s evasive maneuver and bluntly told him, “You didn’t answer my question, sir. If all of your political opponents are dead, in prison, poisoned – doesn’t that send the message that you will not tolerate a fair political struggle? “
Again Putin, who bit his lip again and again, turned the tables. He referred to the storming of the US Capitol on January 6th and reminded that the Americans would be no less squeamish with insurgents. And call them “domestic terrorists”, Putin said.
Comparison with US justice
“As for the question of who kills whom and who throws who in prison,” Putin replied to journalist Scott, “people stormed into the US Congress with political demands. They face prison sentences of up to 20, maybe even 25 years. “
A Russian court last week declared two organizations associated with Navalny to be “extremist” groups. The US condemned Russia for the court decision. This means that Navalny supporters cannot stand for election. (kes)