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5,000 people rally in support of Putin in Izhevsk

No one was forced

IZHEVSK, February 18 (Itar-Tass) —— Some 5,000 people rallied in support of Prime Minister and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin in Izhevsk on Saturday, February 18, Udmurtia’s police deputy spokesman Sergei Kozlov said.

The rally was organised by the Federation of Trade Unions of Udmurtia. Its Chairman Sergei Sherstobit said workers from 10 major industrial enterprises attended the rally.

“No one was forced. A person comes if he wishes so,” he said.

Mass events also took place in all of Udmurtia’s districts and big cities. “There were 33 events, including 6 pickets and the rest were rallies. Of 33, 32 were in support of Putin,” Kozlov said.

According to preliminary information provided by the local police, about 16,000 people attended the events. No incidents were reported.

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