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Artist who painted Putin in women's undies flees Russia
Published 1:45 pm, Wednesday, August 28, 2013

MOSCOW (AP) — A museum director says an artist whose paintings depicted Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in women's undergarments has fled the country.

The director of St. Petersburg's Museum of Power, Tatiana Titova, said Wednesday that Konstantin Altunin left for France and was planning to request asylum there. Authorities removed four of Altunin's satirical depictions of Russian politicians on Monday and shut down the exhibition.

A police statement did not specify which laws may have been violated by the provocative works. A Russian law prohibits insulting state authorities. Another law bans so-called homosexual propaganda aimed at minors.

Last year, an exhibit that depicted members of the girl private Riot punk band as holy icons drew the ire of religious and pro-government activists, who came to protest the exhibition's opening.

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Rodeo clown who wore Obama mask banned for life

August 27, 2013 6:59 AM

A rodeo clown who wore a President Obama mask during the Missouri State Fair was banned for life from the event. He is speaking out, saying he did not intend to disrespect Obama.