Russians Rally Against Putin

Tens of thousands of demonstrators flooded Moscow's Sakharov Avenue Saturday, protesting Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and alleged fraud in recent parliamentary elections.

The demonstration was even larger than a similar protest two weeks ago, the Associated Press reported.

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There were related demonstrations in cities and towns across Russia, the news agency added. Braving freezing temperatures, protestors chanted "Russia without Putin," the AP reported. At one end of the avenue, there was a stage with signs reading "Russia will be free" and "This election Is a farce," the AP also said. The protests, in cities across Russia, are a sign of growing public frustration with Putin, who was the nation's president from 2000 to 2008 and is expected to win presidential elections in March.Although living standards have risen during Putin's years as president and prime minister, his government has come under fire for corruption. His United Russia Party barely held onto its parliamentary majority in the Dec. 4 elections, but independent monitors have alleged widespread fraud. The government has denied the allegations.

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