Gorbachev criticises 'conceit' of Putin's statement on presidency

Former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev has described Russia as an imitation of democracy and accused its rulers of conceit and contempt for voters, in his harshest criticism of the government yet.

Mr Gorbachev criticised prime minister Vladimir Putin and his protege, president Dmitry Medvedev, for saying that they will decide between them who should run for president in Russia’s March 2012 presidential vote.