Putin to be inaugurated for fourth term as president of Russia

Vladimir Putin is to be sworn in for a fourth term as president of Russia on Monday after winning the election in March.

He has been in power for 18 years, whether as president or prime minister, and opponents have likened his tenure to the reign of a tsar, or emperor.

Riot police confronted protesters against his rule in Moscow and other Russian cities on Saturday.

More than 1,000 arrests are said to have been made in 19 cities.

The inauguration at the Kremlin in Moscow is likely to be more low-key than in 2012, AFP news agency reports.

Mr Putin, 65, is expected to meet only volunteers who took part in his election campaign, the agency says.

source:www.bbc.com