Patriarch Kirill of Moscow in 1997. In his 2002 interview with "Izvestia", Metropolitan Kirill called the allegations about his profiteering a political campaign against him. Alexander Pochinok who was the minister of taxes and levies (1999-2000), said in 2009 that Kirill had no involvement in the violations. Three female members of the feminist group Pussy Riot were arrested in March 2012 for performing a song in the Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Moscow during which they called on the Virgin Mary to "chase Putin out". The women were arrested for hooliganism and were later sentenced to two years' imprisonment. The song contained swear words
Third inauguration of Vladimir Putin Third inauguration of Vladimir Putin The third inauguration of Vladimir Putin as the President of Russia took place on Monday, May 7, 2012, in the Grand Kremlin Palace. The ceremony was attended by about three thousand people, including ministers, governors, deputies, senators, foreign ambassadors and religious leaders, as well as Russian scientists and artists. Vladimir Putin won the election with more than sixty percent of the votes. He took office two months after the elections. At the beginning of the ceremony Kremlin Regiment soldiers carried the Flag of Russia, Flag of the Russian President, Constitution of Russia and Sign of