Yaroslav Shcherbakov’s blog post, 25.08.2023

Photo: Yaroslav Shcherbakov and Kira Belaya / Photo by Yaroslav Shcherbakov

Today, the Second Court of Appeal in St. Petersburg canceled the decision of the Chelyabinsk Regional Court, which dismissed the case on the return of “Hyde Parks” [specially designated free speech zones where no permissions from authorities for rallies are required] to the centre of Magnitogorsk.

The plaintiff was Kira Belaya, a member of the Magnitogorsk Yabloko, and I represented her interests. Let me remind you that the reason for the termination of the case was the abolition by the regional Government of the contested list of “Hyde Parks” throughout the region and the adoption of a new list of the same kind. This was done only in order not to execute the court decision in relation to the city of Chelyabinsk and not to lose the case in Magnitogorsk.

Today, the court decided to check the legality of the actions of the Government and the Governor when approving the list of “Hyde Parks” in Magnitogorsk.

* A “Hyde Park” is a place for holding rallies where no prior approval of the authorities is required, but a number of participates is limited.

Taking into account the fact that the authorities now often refuse to approve any opposition action, the presence of “Hyde Parks” in the city in accessible and passable places in the city centre is a good opportunity to legally hold public events.

YAROSLAV SHCHERBAKOV

is Chairman of the Chelyabinsk branch of Yabloko