Violent scenes as Putin takes presidency

Vladimir Putin took the oath of office in a brief but regal Kremlin ceremony yesterday, while on the streets outside thousands of riot police prevented hundreds of demonstrators from protesting over his return to the presidency.

Mr Putin, 59, has ruled Russia since 2000, first as president and then during the past four years as prime minister. The new six-year term as president will keep him in power until 2018, with the option of running for a fourth term.

“I consider service to the fatherland and our nation to be the meaning of my life,” he said in addressing 3,000 guests in a glittering Kremlin hall.

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Despite unprecedented security measures in the centre of Moscow, where streets were closed to traffic and passengers prevented from exiting underground stations, at least 1,000 opposition activists tried to protest along the route Mr Putin’s motorcade took to the Kremlin. Many wore the white ribbons that are the symbol of the anti-Putin protest movement.

The demonstrators were met by helmeted riot police. A total of 120 were detained, including opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.

Mr Putin’s inauguration came a day after an opposition protest drew more than 20,000 people, fewer than the mass demonstrations in the months that preceded his March election but still a sign that the anger over Mr Putin’s heavy-handed return to the Kremlin has not faded.

Sunday’s protest turned violent when some demonstrators tried to march towards the Kremlin and riot police beat back the crowds with batons and detained more than 400 people.

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After taking the oath of office with his right hand on a red copy of Russia’s constitution, which had been carried into the hall by goose-stepping Kremlin guards, Mr Putin stated his commitment to democracy.

The new president has dismissed the Moscow protesters as ungrateful, pampered urbanites and agents of the West.

Mr Putin, as promised, began his new presidential term by formally nominating outgoing president Dmitry Medvedev as his prime minister.