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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Putin's putative squeeze leaves the Duma |
| 2014-09-16 |
| 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 |
| #3 |
| Posted by: BigEd 2014-09-16 17:14 |
| #2 |
| Posted by: badanov 2014-09-16 00:55 |
| #1 |
| Posted by: USN, Ret. 2014-09-16 00:38 |