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
First inauguration of Vladimir Putin Putin speaks. Vladimir Putin, left St. Andrew's Hall on the accompaniment of the song "Glory" to the music of Mikhail Glinka and Artillery salute. Then, at the Cathedral Square of the Moscow Kremlin, Boris Yeltsin introduced the Kremlin Regiment of Vladimir Putin, passing thus the authority of the Supreme Commander of the new President. At the end of the ceremony, Boris Yeltsin and Vladimir Putin accepted congratulations. Vladimir Putin's speech: First inauguration of Vladimir Putin The First Inauguration of Vladimir Putin as the President of Russia took place on Sunday, May 7, 2000. The ceremony was held for the first