The Russian newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta has blasted the country’s political parties for using well-known public figures who are unlikely to make good lawmakers as front men. The United Russia party, for example, has touted several actresses; the notorious prosecutor in annexed Crimea, Natalia Poklonskaya; and General Vladimir Shamanov, considered by human rights groups to be a war criminal (Gazeta.ru, May 12, 2014; HRW, May 28, 2009). Among the ruling party’s front men in Dagestan is the renowned wrestler Buvaisar Saitiev. The newspaper dismissed Saitiev: “He is an outstanding athlete, but the State Duma’s meeting hall is not a wrestling mat, …read more
Source: The Jamestown Foundation