Putin Criticizes Bill to Curb Protests

Moving to burnish his democratic credentials, President Vladimir V. Putin sharply condemned a proposal to severely limit street protests in Russia.

Last month, Putin’s backers in the lower house of parliament approved a bill that would block rallies near most public buildings, embassies, schools, offices of international organizations and industrial facilities. Opposition parties branded the bill a blow against democracy.

With two more readings needed before the measure goes to Putin for his signature, the president suggested lawmakers water it down, saying that as it stood, it proposed “unhealthy limitations” on citizens’ rights.