The beginning of the prosecutor’s check

Press Release, October 9, 2013
A prosecutor’s check took place at an NGO called “The third way”(trety put’) on October 8. The organisation has been renting the premises since 1991. According to YABLOKO, the goal of the check was to frame up the evidence that the cultural centre didn’t maintain the historic building.

The check was actuated by head of the Moscow Patriarchate’s Department for External Church Relations. He sent an appeal to the prosecutor’s office.

The assistant of the interdistrict prosecutor Artem Anufriyev said that all the papers will be sent to the Central Administrative District prosecutor’s office which will pass a judge according to the results of the check.

At the moment the work of the organisation is actually stopped as only head of the group Vlada Raskolnikova is allowed to enter the premises. The check point with private security guards is placed on the first floor of the building. The electricity and water are turned off at the cultural centre.

According to Vlada Raskolnikova, the organisation had been maintaining the building and carrying out all the obligations. The check is connected with the wish of the church to get the premises.

The collection of the signatures in support of the organisation continues. At the moment 7679 signatures are collected. The cultural centre “The third way” is a socially oriented NGO which carries the free of charge activity in the field of culture and art. Concerts, rehearsals, literary readings, exhibitions, lectures on art and music, muster classes are conducted at the cultural centre.

YABLOKO leader Sergei Mitrokhin sent an appeal to Sergei Sobyanin and Minister of Cultural Affairs Vladimir Medinsky with the request to get the case under their control and not to allow the illegal actions against the cultural workers. Mitrokhin demands the enforcement of an arbitration award according to which the eviction can take place only if another premises are provided.

Musicians, artists and actors will conduct a concert in support of “The third way” NGO on October 12. YABLOKO will support the concert. Sergei Mitrokhin, YABLOKO leader, will be present.

Artem Anufriyev, assistant of the prosecutor

Vlada Raskolnikova during the check

A shot from the cartoon by Yuri Norshtein is the decoration on the wall