Cop gets suspended sentence

ST. PETERSBURG, Russia, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- A St. Petersburg, Russia, police officer was given a 3 1/2 year suspended sentence Monday for severely beating protesters in 2010 officials said.

Video footage of Vadim Boyko shows the man calling protesters "ferrets," and asking "Who wants more?" RIA Novosti reported.

Boyko claims the charges against him have been "fabricated."

Police have been more lenient toward demonstrators in recent weeks, some officers even joining crowds to protest the recent parliamentary election in Russia.

Protesters have accused the ruling United Russia party of rigging the election in its favor, the report said.