Pasta protest against Putin has consequences for regional politicians

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A regional politician in Russia has been fined for a satirical pasta protest during a speech by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin (70). The deputy of the regional parliament in the Volga region of Samara, Mikhail Abdalkin, had to pay the equivalent of 1,825 francs, the Internet portal “Protokol.Samara” reported Thursday. According to the court, the man had discredited the Russian army with his protest. The case attracted national attention.

Abdalkin watched Putin’s State of the Union speech on TV shortly before the anniversary of the Russian attack on Ukraine. He hung noodles over his ears. In Russian there is the expression “hanging noodles over your ears”, which means something like: being lied to.

Director wants to send Abdalkin to the front

Abdalkin then posted a video of it to YouTube, ironically expressing his “full support” for the “amazing performance”. In the speech, Putin focused on the war in Ukraine, defending the invasion and again accusing the West of “starting the war”.

While Abdalkin’s satirical protest was celebrated online, he was soon met with criticism in politics. The Communist Party, now considered loyal to the Kremlin and for which he sits in parliament, distanced itself from the action. Prominent director Nikita Mikhalkov, close to Putin, demanded on state television that Abdalkin be sent to the front. (SDA)

Source: Blick