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Vodka shortage ‘could spark riots’

Riots are feared in Russia after a new law forced vodka distilleries to halt production.

Analysts predict trouble as shops begin to run out of the national tipple. The new law, endorsed by President Putin on January 1, stipulates that every distillery must have computerised equipment for measuring alcohol levels.

The move caught the big distilleries by surprise and brought nationwide production to a standstill. After two weeks of no vodka, even respected newspapers such as the economic journal Vedomosti have started to print panicky front-page headlines, such as ‘The vodka is running out!’ Some commentators fear a revolution as more and more Russians turn to violence on discovering empty supermarket shelves. The state is also suffering huge losses as it usually collects over £3.4 billion pounds in liquor taxes per annum, which works out at about £95m per day. ananova

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