MOSCOW: Russia on Wednesday marked one year since the annexation of Crimea by President Vladimir Putin in a redrawing of Europe's map that shattered ties with Ukraine and the West but sent his approval ratings soaring at home.
Crowds were expected to flock to a concert by the walls of the Kremlin and festivities around Crimea as part of highly-choreographed celebrations of the takeover of the Black Sea peninsula from Ukraine.
The Kremlin strongman was due to hold a meeting in Moscow with loyal leaders from Crimea to discuss the region's development ahead of a possible triumphant appearance on stage before supporters.
The events will be the culmination of days of officially sanctioned festivities to laud the anniversary of the annexation that was condemned by Kiev and the West as an illegal land grab but heralded by many Russians as correcting a historic injustice.
Amnesty International accused the region's pro-Kremlin authorities of an "unrelenting campaign of intimidation to silence dissent" under Russia's rule.
"Since Russia annexed Crimea, the de facto authorities are using a vast array of bully boy tactics to crack down on dissent; a spate of abductions between March and September have prompted many vocal critics to leave the region," John Dalhuisen, Amnesty International's Director for Europe and Central Asia, said.
"Those remaining face a range of harassment from authorities determined to silence their opponents," he said in a statement.
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