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Thousands attend pro-Putin rallies in Russia
Feb 18, 2012, 17:01 GMT
Moscow - Thousands of people took part in rallies held in several Russian cities on Saturday in support of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, who is almost certain to win the country's presidential election in two weeks.
The Interfax news agency quoted police as saying that some 60,000 people took part in a rally in his hometown of St Petersburg, calling on Russians to vote for Putin, who polls suggest will win the March 4 vote and return to the Kremlin.
Thousands also held a rally in support of Putin across Siberia, holding banners reading 'We believe in Putin' and 'With Putin comes success.'
A mass pro-Putin rally is to be held in Moscow on Thursday.
There have been media reports that some civil servants are put under pressure to take part in pro-Putin rallies, while others were paid to attend.
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