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Medvedev says Russia is not autocracy

I do not believe we are an absolutely ideal society, a model state
Photo ITAR-TASS
Photo ITAR-TASS

MOSCOW, February 22 (Itar-Tass) – It is not serious to regard Russia as a country with an autocracy regime, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview published by the Brazilian newspaper O Globo on Friday.

“I do not believe we are an absolutely ideal society, a model state. We have our problems, we see and know them, we have a young civil society and young developing democracy. But to regard Russia as an autocracy where human rights are not respected, it is not correct, not serious, although such a view exists.”

According to him, “our society has varied, opposite views on, for instance, the events around the known girls’ band action in the church, so it seems to me it is not right to believe that there is some absolutely correct viewpoint,” he noted. However, Medvedev said, “there is one indisputable thing: every country has to respect the decisions of their judicial system. And when I’m asked about this case (of Pussy Riot punk group), I always say one thing: maybe the harshest punishment should have not been applied, perhaps it would have been more appropriate to take something less rigid decisions, but there is the court ruling that has entered into effect.