Russian painter beaten and charged over picture of the Prime Minister
Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin works hard to keep up a strong, manly image—an image now tarnished by a picture portraying him as a long-haired woman in a low-cut dress. Alexander Shednov created the picture to protest Putin’s consideration of running for a third presidential term. Shednov was arrested by agents from Russia’s intelligence agency, the FSB. He says he was questioned for seven hours and beaten. Agents also searched his house and took some paintings. Shednov is awaiting a court appearance for the charge of inappropriate behavior.