Vladimir Putin accused of embezzlement in Russian courtroom in spoof state news channel report seen by 2 million on YouTube

Luke Harding  guardian.co.uk

Wednesday 15 February 2012 11.05 EST

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/feb/15/putin-behind-bars-spoof-vide...

Vladimir Putin behind bars in the spoof news report from the state TV channel.

A spoof video featuring Vladimir Putin behind bars has become Russia‘s latest internet sensation, with more than 2 million people watching it on YouTube.

The video superimposes Putin’s face on that of a prisoner sitting in a cage and includes footage from the real trial in Moscow of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the oligarch who fell out with Putin in 2003 and who has been in jail ever since.

The lampoon comes weeks ahead of Russia’s presidential election, which Putin is almost certain to win, and amid unprecedented public demonstrations against his rule. Hundreds of Russians have left comments beneath the video – most of them abusive of Russia’s dominant leader. Several refer to him disparagingly as “botox” – a reference to the rumour that he has had injections in his face to make him look younger.

The video is done in the style of a news report for Russia’s Kremlin-controlled Channel One channel, which normally praises Putin in every broadcast. A voiceover in Russian says the “former prime minister” has been charged with embezzling state funds, “financial machinations” and other serious crimes under Russia’s legal code.

Putin’s spoof double gives his name as “Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin” and his citizenship as “the Russian Federation”, while journalists jostle to take photographs. He is also pictured slumped with his head in his hands, his balding head visible.

The scenario of Putin in prison is not as far-fetched as it may seem. US diplomatic cables, leaked in 2010, correctly predicted that Putin was likely to return to the Kremlin to protect his “alleged secret assets” hidden overseas, and to prevent potential law-enforcement prosecutions against him, which may ensue once he gives up power.