MOSCOW (Reuters) - A Russian court sentenced two protest leaders to 4.5 years each in jail on Thursday on charges of inciting mass riots against President Vladimir Putin, in a case the opposition sees as part of a clampdown on his foes while all eyes are on Ukraine.
Sergei Udaltsov, who shouted 'Freedom!" as he was led from the court room, and Leonid Razvozhayev were both accused of coordinating protests which turned violent on May 6, 2012, the eve of Putin's inauguration for a third term as president.
