Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov to attend opposition rally in MoscowDecember 24, 2011 - 09:32 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov plans to take part in the Dec 24 protest in Moscow against alleged vote fraud, his spokesperson said. Up to 50,000 people are expected to attend the downtown Moscow demonstration against suspected electoral violations in favor of Prime Minister Vladimir Putin’s United Russia party. This is the second authorized mass protest this month. A rally on December 10 drew tens of thousands and was the largest anti-government protest in Russia for some two decades. Prokhorov plans to run against Putin in presidential elections scheduled for March 2012. His spokesperson said Prokhorov would mingle with the crowds at the protest and would only speak if the organizers called him onto the stage, adding that the tycoon wanted to see how people "react" to him, RIA Novosti reported. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |