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Russian Mayoral Election Cancelled After Candidate Slaying


Dmitry Fotyanov (file photo) (ITAR-TASS) October 22, 2006 -- Russian election authorities have canceled a mayoral vote in a town in Russia's Far East following the slaying of a candidate.


Dmitry Fotyanov was gunned down October 19 outside his campaign office in Dalnegorsk, a small town where he was running for mayor.


Russian television reported on October 21 that election officials initially said the October 22 runoff would be held, but they later canceled it after the remaining candidates withdrew under pressure from locals angered by the killing.


Fotyanov was a member of the pro-Kremlin Unified Russia party. The killing is under investigation.


(AP, Reuters)

Russia's Democratic Development

Russia's Democratic Development

Demonstrators speak with local politicians in Butovo about the destruction of a local forest in July 2006 (RFE/RL)

IS RUSSIAN DEMOCRACY MANAGING? Russian President Vladimir Putin has said Western powers seek to pressure Russia under the pretext of concern over its democratic development. He has said Russia is ready to listen to "well-intentioned criticism," but will not allow anyone to interfere in its internal affairs. The Kremlin has been criticized for stifling political oppostion, increasing central control over the media, and cracking down on the work on nongovernmental organizations.


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