TOPSHOTS Supporters of Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin take part in a rally in central Moscow on December 12, 2011. Election fraud claims reported by Russia's opposition will not alter the outcome of this month's disputed parliamentary polls, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin's spokesman said . AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV

Opposition activists protest in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011.The poster depicts Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looking old and reads: "2050 - No!" Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

Opposition activists take part in their authorized rally at the Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011, to protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls. The poster (2nd L) reads "Recount of votes demanded!" The partly seen poster (R), which shows a photo of Vladimir Lenin's Mausoleum with the sign "Putin" on it, reads: "We believe, hope and expect [to witness this]!" Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

Opposition activists take part in their authorized rally at the Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011, to protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls. The poster depicts Russia's Prime Minister Vladimir Putin looking old and reads: "2050 - No!" Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV

A man takes part in an authorized opposition protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls in central St.Petersburg, on December 10, 2011.The sign reads: "I have no vote." Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA

Police officers detain an opposition activist outside the area of an authorized opposition protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls in central St.Petersburg, on December 10, 2011. Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / OLGA MALTSEVA

People shout during an authorized opposition protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls at the Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011. Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV

People shout during an authorized opposition protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls at the Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011. Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV

People take part in an authorized opposition protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls at the Bolotnaya Square in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011. Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / ALEXANDER NEMENOV

An opposition activist shouts during an authorized opposition protest against the alleging mass fraud in the December 4 parliamentary polls in central Moscow, on December 10, 2011. Tens of thousands of election protesters turned out today in Moscow and other major cities across Russia in open defiance to strongman Vladimir Putin's 12-year rule. AFP PHOTO / Alexey SAZONOV

Protesters seen during a rally in downtown St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. The sign reads "No vote". More than ten thousands people have protested in St.Petersburg against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his party, which won the largest share of a parliamentary election that observers said was rigged. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

A protester seen during a rally in downtown St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. The sign reads "No vote". More than ten thousands people have protested in St.Petersburg against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his party, which won the largest share of a parliamentary election that observers said was rigged. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

Riot police detain a protester during a rally in downtown St.Petersburg, Russia, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. More than ten thousands people have protested in St.Petersburg against Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his party, which won the largest share of a parliamentary election that observers said was rigged. (AP Photo/Dmitry Lovetsky)

A demonstrator holds a poster reading "We need real democracy" during a protest against alleged fraud in the major Russian Sibirian city of Novosibirsk, about 2800 kilometers (1,750 miles) east of Moscow, Saturday, Dec. 10, 2011. Several thousand people, braving - 20 C (-4 F) frosty weather, protested against election rigging. Protests against election fraud are beginning in Russia, the first in a planned wave of nationwide demonstrations testing Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and his party. (AP Photo/Ilnar Salakhiev)