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Reporter Asks Vladimir Putin Why All Of His Political Rivals Are Dead Or In Prison

Reporter Asks Vladimir Putin Why All Of His Political Rivals Are Dead Or In Prison

ABC News reporter Rachel Scott asked the Russian president what is he afraid of.

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie

Journalists are meant to ask hard questions to people in power, but one reporter has been praised for asking a pretty intimidating man a pretty intimidating question.

Vladimir Putin answered a bunch of queries during a press conference following his meeting with US President Joe Biden in Geneva.

But it was ABC News reporter Rachel Scott who stood out when she asked about the Russian President's rivals.

She said: "The list of your political opponents who are dead, imprisoned, or jailed is long.

"Alexei Navalny's organisation calls for free and fair elections and end to corruption, but Russia has outlawed that organisation, calling it extremist and you have now prevented anyone who supports [Russian opposition leader Alexey Navalny] to run for office.

"So my question is, Mr. President, what are you so afraid of?"

It's a pretty bold statement, however it didn't seem to shake the former KGB foreign intelligence officer.

Vladimir Putin simply responded that it's his country and his rules, and criticised those who didn't fall into line.

He hit back at Navalny's organisation and labeled it an extremist group that wanted to cause 'mass disorder'. He likened it to the Black Lives Matter movement in the US and criticised protestors for causing 'disorder' and 'destruction' during last year's demonstrations.

Putin said he didn't want to see scenes like that mirrored in Russia and therefore believes detaining outspoken citizens is lawful because it keeps the peace. But the ABC journalist wasn't done.

Ms Scott was allowed to ask a followup question and drove to the heart of what she wanted the Russian leader to answer.

She said: "You didn't answer my question, sir. If all your political opponents are dead, in prison, poisoned - doesn't that send a message that you don't want a fair political fight?"

But he again deflected by using a comparison with the United States of America by talking about the Capitol insurrection back on January 6.

In the days, weeks and months since that event, hundreds of people have been detained, charged and sentenced for their role in storming the Capitol building in Washington D.C.

Vladimir Putin doesn't see a difference between that and what he's doing in Russia.

"As for who is killing whom and throwing whom in jail, people came to the US Congress with political demands,' Putin said.

"They face prison sentences of up to 20, maybe even 25 years... They are being called 'domestic terrorists.' They are being accused of a number of other crimes."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: News, vladimir putin, Russia