Adviser pays price for criticising Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin has cut back on the duties of a top economic adviser who has been outspoken critic of Kremlin policies.

Andrei Illarionov, who last week said the Kremlin was trying to muzzle voices of dissent and civil society in Russia and would eventually spark mass protests, was stripped of his responsibilities as Russia’s envoy to the Group of 8 industrial nations, the Kremlin said.