Press Release, 26.06.2025

Photo: A mass sporting event at one of Moscow’s stadiums during the period of “coronavirus restrictions” / Photo by Dmitry Lebedev, Kommersant

The letter to Yelena Andreyeva, Chief Sanitary Doctor of Moscow, was sent by the applicants of the pickets for the dismantling of the bas-relief depicting Joseph Stalin as the “father of the nation” in the Moscow metro – Nikolai Rybakov, Yabloko Chairman, Maxim Kruglov, Deputy Chairman of the party, Kirill Goncharov, Deputy Chairman of the Moscow branch of Yabloko, and other party members. Yabloko asks the Chief Sanitary Doctor to give explanation about the current sanitary and epidemiological situation in Moscow, as well as the current restrictions related to the prevention of the spread of COVID: whether there is a risk of the spread of a new wave of COVID, whether there is data confirming the need to limit mass events, and whether measures have been officially established for the safe organisation of events.

Earlier, the Prefecture of the Central District of Moscow refused to give a permission to Yabloko to hold a series of pickets for the dismantling of the bas-relief glorifying Joseph Stalin at the Taganskaya metro station under the pretext of the “developing epidemiological situation.” The party intends to appeal the authorities’ response in court.

Deputy Chairman of Moscow Yabloko Kirill Goncharov notes that the purpose of the party’s request to the Chief Sanitary Doctor of Moscow is to force the Moscow authorities to abandon double standards.

“We are systematically denied the right to hold legal events. At the same time, the reference to the Moscow Mayor’s decree is untenable, given the absence of a COVID epidemic. Well, let’s find out from the Chief Sanitary Doctor of Moscow what the health risks for Muscovites are now. We do not intend to be idle and simply watch the authorities’ tricks and attempts to deprive us of our legal rights.”

For five years, since 5 March, 2020, a mayoral decree has been in effect in Moscow containing measures to counter the spread of coronavirus infection. Among such measures is a restriction on holding public mass events. The Moscow authorities cite “covid restrictions” to refuse to approve any protest event. At the same time, pro-government rallies and concerts, as well as mass actions of loyal political forces, are not prohibited, and their participants are not prosecuted.

The party is also challenging the Moscow Mayor’s decrees on “covid restrictions” in court.