Malta Today: Putin shrugs off German and Dutch protests

Russian President Vladimir Putin greeted by protests in Germany and Netherlands as he meets leaders of both nations for trade talks
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/world/Putin-shrugs-off-German-and-Dutch-protests-20130409
Tuesday 9 April 2013 - 09:20


The female activists had bared their torsos, covered in anti-Putin slogans, and shouted "Putin dictator", while Russian President Vladimir Putin was touring the business fair with Chancellor Angela Merkel in the German city of Hanover on Thursday morning.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has been greeted by protests in Germany and the Netherlands as he met the leaders of both nations for trade talks.

Hundreds of gay rights activists picketed outside his meeting with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte in Amsterdam.

Earlier, three topless members of Ukrainian women's group Femen briefly interrupted his visit to a German trade fair with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Putin joked about the incident, saying he "liked this performance".

The female activists had bared their torsos, covered in anti-Putin slogans, and shouted "Putin dictator", while he was touring the business fair with Ms Merkel in the German city of Hanover on Thursday morning.

Femen have staged several protests around Europe against Russia's detention of feminist punk band Pussy Riot.

"We knew it was coming," Putin quipped at a press conference with Merkel. "You should thank the Ukrainian girls for helping you promote the fair."

After his short stay in Germany, the president then flew to Amsterdam where he faced further protests, this time from gay rights activists accusing Russia of discriminating against homosexuals.

In particular, demonstrators were angry about a new Russian bill aimed at outlawing "gay propaganda".

If passed, it would mean that across Russia events promoting gay rights would be banned and the organisers fined.

Protesters booed and whistled at Putin's arrival at the Hermitage Museum, while human rights group Amnesty International had put up fake police tape proclaiming the area a "human rights-free zone".

Meanwhile houses and bridges in Amsterdam's historic canal district were draped with banners and the rainbow flag of the gay movement.

But the Russian leader remained unfazed by the demonstrations.

"Thank god, the gays didn't strip naked here," he joked at a press conference in Amsterdam.

Putin also deflected criticism over Russia's treatment of gay rights, saying: "These people, like others, have all rights and freedoms."