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Putin's putative squeeze leaves the Duma
A Russian State Duma deputy and Olympic gold medalist whose relationship with President Vladimir Putin has caused wide speculation has resigned from the lower house of parliament.Alina Kabayeva, who won a gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics in 2006, said she was leaving the Duma to do other unspecified work. Kabayeva, 31, has been a Duma deputy under the ruling United Russia party since she retired from gymnastics in 2007. Reports of a romantic relationship between Putin and Kabayeva began in 2008 and have continued despite several denials and "no-comments" from her and Kremlin officials. Kabayeva played a big role in the ceremony to light the torch at the Sochi Winter Olympics in February. Putin and his wife Lyudmila divorced earlier this year. Posted by: badanov 2014-09-16 |
| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=400073 |