Russia's federal power structures have already been cleared of criminals, but purges are needed in the regions, where lots of unexposed criminals remain, President Dmitry Medvedev said on Friday.
"I believe we've managed to clear up the federal level substantially. Yes, there are crimes, there is corruption, but downright criminals have been disbranched," the president said in an interview broadcast live on Russia's three main TV channels.
"But on the territorial and municipal levels there are still too many people who abide by a very different code. In fact, purges should be held there."
The president emphasized that he was not talking of a flashback to the monstrous Soviet purges.
Medvedev added that many of those criminals who should be striped of power are members of the country's ruling United Russia party. "[These people] should be exposed and dismissed, and this will contribute to the authority of the party."
MOSCOW, December 24 (RIA Novosti)
