A former student colleague of Russian President Vladimir Putin, 70-year-old Irina Podnosova, has been appointed president of the Russian Supreme Court. The Russian ruler thus seamlessly continues the systematic subjugation of the judiciary.
The Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, unanimously adopted the decision, Interfax news agency reported on Wednesday. Podnosova was nominated for the post by the Kremlin in early April.
Studied with Putin in St. Petersburg
Podnosova was born on October 29, 1953 in Pskov. She graduated from the Law Faculty of Leningrad State University – what is now St. Petersburg State University – in 1975. There she studied together with Putin. She was most recently deputy president of the Supreme Court.
In the past, the 71-year-old Putin has repeatedly promoted friends and associates from his time in St. Petersburg, as well as family members, to lucrative positions. Critics of the regime complain of widespread cronyism, which the head of state has long used to secure his power.
The Kremlin chief continues to consolidate power
Putin has also had the Russian constitution amended in the past, which protects him from criminal prosecution. Podnosova should provide additional assurance that Russia’s judiciary is acting in the interests of the Kremlin ruler.
Podnosova’s appointment takes effect immediately. She is elected for a period of six years. She succeeds Vyacheslav Lebedev, who died in February at the age of 80 after more than thirty years at the helm of the Supreme Court.
Source: Krone
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