TODAY: Vladimir Putin interviewed by French newspaper; Kasparov criticizes western media; smuggling case lawyer attacked; gay rights activists detained; Russia sends more “personnel” into Abkhazia. Vladimir Putin’s weekend interview with French newspaper Le Monde produced some interesting soundbites. The prime minister promised to raise wages, pensions and social benefits to compensate for rising prices and minimize the effects of Russia’s anti-inflation policy, and compared the US to a “frightening monster”. He also said he has “never heard of” Bill Browder, the hedge-fund founder barred from Russia since November 2005, and that he opposes clemency for Mikhail Khodorkovky because he “broke the law”. Russia Today has published a full transcript of the interview, and a video is also available. The Moscow Times has published an interview with the mother of Mikhail Khodorkovsky.