Putin's Russia 'now a mafia state'

29 February 2012 Last updated at 00:41 ET Help

Opponents of Russian prime minister and presidential candidate Vladimir Putin are claiming that in the 12 years Mr Putin has been in power, the country has become a mafia state.

It is a far cry from Mr Putin's claim to have brought stability and security to the country, with even the Kremlin admitting that in some parts of the country the police have merged with criminal gangs.

Steve Rosenberg reports.

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