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Dmitry Medvedev pictured last year Natalia Kolesnikova/AP/Press Association Images

Medvedev responds to Russia protests with Facebook vow to probe fraud

But the prime minister’s status update was met with derision – with hundreds of comments expressing voters’ anger.

RUSSIAN PRESIDENT DMITRY Medvedev today announced on his Facebook page that he has ordered a probe into the allegations of electoral fraud during the country’s December 4 parliamentary vote.

Medvedev’s post generated over 2,200 mostly angry comments within one hour. “Shame!” and “We don’t believe you!” were the most common.

Other Facebook users asked Medvedev whether he really disagrees with the protest’s main slogan, “We’re for fair elections.” Some wrote that Medvedev’s message made them even more determined to take part in the next planned rally against electoral fraud – on December 24.

Tens of thousands of Russians rallied in Moscow and other cities yesterday in the largest anti-government protest in the nation’s post-Soviet history to protest alleged fraud in the parliamentary election and to demand the departure of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.

Medvedev on Sunday broke two days of silence by posting a comment on his Facebook page.

“I disagree with the slogans as well as with the speeches that were made at the rallies,” he said, but added that he gave instruction for a check of the reports of fraud. He did not mention who would carry out the probe.

Neither Medvedev nor Putin has made any public appearances over the weekend, although Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said in a statement that the government “respects the point of view of the protesters” and is “hearing what is being said.”

Unlike Putin, the tech-savvy Medvedev, Russia’s president since 2008, has enjoyed some support among an educated urban elite. But an announcement in September that he will step aside to let his mentor Putin run for a third term as president has angered many Medvedev supporters.

Earlier today, several hundred nationalists rallied in downtown Moscow, demanding a bigger say for ethnic Russians in the country’s politics and marking the first anniversary of a violent nationalist riot just outside the Kremlin.

In pictures: Thousands of Russians join biggest protests since Soviet era>

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4 Comments
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    Mute Unitedpeople Ireland
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    Dec 11th 2011, 5:15 PM

    I wouldn’t trust Medvedev as far as I could throw him.

    What! he’s going to investigate suspicious activities that put his best his best mate top of the polls?
    Yea right! he must think the Russian people and the world are idiots! What a tool!

    Putin as it is, is in hiding from the exposure that showed a good number of the ballot boxes had been rigged. Expect him oly to really start showing his head when his mate Medvedev comes out with some whitewash of the vote that took place.

    As for who will carry out the probe? Probably the same branch that organised it – and as they are doing their “checking” expect many bits of evidence to become non-existent all of a sudden!

    Medvedev and Putin – two shifty guys playing their musical chairs games and the Russian people is paying the price yet again!

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    Mute koenig_dublin
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    Dec 11th 2011, 9:45 PM

    Shame!

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    Mute Zimmermann Robertallen
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    Mar 24th 2012, 7:15 PM

    Приветствие/Обращение

    Будущее началоь!

    После огромного успеха во время подготовительного этапа, мы стартуем во всей Европе. Старт: октябрь 2011 года.

    Мы являемся инновационной немецкой компанией, которая опирается на быстрый рост миллиардового рынка и сетевого маркетинга.

    Благодаря нашему совместному сотрудничеству, я предоставляю вам шанс достичь финансовую и профессиональную независимость.

    Стартуйте с нами в совместное будущее!

    Сразу же после регистрации, Trofuna.com высылает Вам и мне сообщение. SКак только Вы зарегистрировались, желательно созвониться. ЭТОТ шанс я хочу использовать вместе с Вами.

    Ссылка на мой сайт: http://peterdv.trofuna.com/

    Сразу же после регистрации, Вы получите свою собственную страницу и можете немедленно сообщить своим друзьям и знакомым.
    С Новым годом

    С уважением/ С сердечным приветом
    [Имя отправителя]
    Peter/Robertallen

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    Mute _infrascriptus_
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    Dec 12th 2011, 12:18 AM

    So there is somebody in politics (any country) you trust?? Mad:))

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