Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia's richest tycoons and the owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball t

(14 Dec 2011) HEADLINE:Russian tycoon to compete with Putin in election
CAPTION: Mikhail Prokhorov, one of Russia's richest tycoons and the owner of the New Jersey Nets basketball team, said Monday he will run against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in the March presidential election. (Dec. 12)

[Location - Date:MOSCOW - DEC 12 2011]
[Source:APTN]

[NATSOT:]
("music")
BLASTING MUSIC AND BANGING DRUMS --
THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ATTEND A RALLY IN MOSCOW TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT FOR RUSSIAN LEADERSHIP
INCLUDING THE PRESIDENTIAL BID FOR PRIME MINISTER VLADIMIR PUTIN.
THE RALLY COMES IN THE WAKE OF HIS PARTY'S POOR SHOWING IN RUSSIA'S PARLIAMENTARY ELECTION EARLIER THIS MONTH.
THOSE RESULTS CAME WITH ALLEGATIONS OF WIDESPREAD FRAUD DURING THE BALLOTING.
A CLAIM THAT PRESIDENT DMITRY MEDVEDEV SAYS WILL BE INVESTIGATED - ACCORDING TO A POST ON HIS FACEBOOK PAGE.
ALSO MONDAY, PUTIN GAINED ANOTHER OPPONENT IN THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.
MIKHAIL PROKHOROV (mik-hail proke-o-rahv) -- ONE OF RUSSIA'S RICHEST TYCOONS --
AND THE OWNER OF THE NEW JERSEY NETS BASKETBALL TEAM.
[NATSOT:]
("russian")
WORTH AN ESTIMATED WEALTH OF 18-BILLION DOLLARS --
PROKHOROV NOW FACES THE CHALLENGE OF COLLECTING THE 2 MILLION SIGNATURES REQUIRED TO QUALIFY FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL RACE.
HE SAY HE'S NOT AFRAID THAT HIS POLITICAL AMBITIONS COULD HARM HIS BUSINESS OR HIM PERSONALLY.
MIKHAIL KHODORKOVSKY (ca-dore-kof-ski) -- ONCE RUSSIA'S RICHEST MAN -- HAS BEEN IN PRISON SINCE 2003 --
FOR TAX EVASION AND EMBEZZLEMENT CHARGES WIDELY SEEN AS A PUNISHMENT FOR HAVING CHALLENGED PUTIN'S POWER.
PROKHOROV'S PRESIDENTIAL BID FOLLOWS A BOTCHED PERFORMANCE IN THE PARLIAMENTARY RACE -
WHEN HE FORMED A LIBERAL PARTY BUT ABANDONED THE PROJECT UNDER WHAT HE CALLED KREMLIN PRESSURE.
MATT SMALL, ASSOCIATED PRESS.
APTN STORY NUMBER: 718673

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