Press Release, 16.03.2026

Photo by the Yabloko Press Service

Pavel Kharitonenko, activist and organiser of the “For a Free Internet” rally in Irkutsk, has received the city administration’s response to his application to hold the event. The refusal was expected; however, the grounds given are remarkable: demands for free access to information and freedom of expression are, according to the authorities, unlawful.

“The purpose you stated for your public event violates the principle of lawfulness,” the Mayor’s Office response runs. “Holding the declared public event would infringe the lawful interests of an unspecified range of persons in connection with the dissemination of unreliable information.”

The administration’s response further states that, pursuant to Article 55 of the Constitution, the rights and freedoms of citizens may be restricted by federal law where necessary to protect the constitutional order.

Grigory Gribenko, Chairman of Irkutsk Yabloko, has described the refusal as nothing less than the introduction of political censorship under the guise of alleged upholding human rights:

“The Irkutsk regional branch of the party considers the administration’s response to be unconstitutional, one that itself undermines the foundations of the state order. Banning rallies and free expression is a direct path towards establishing a totalitarian state.”

Gribenko has also indicated that he intends to file a lawsuit jointly with Pavel Kharitonenko challenging the violation of constitutional rights. It should be noted that this will be the second such claim against the Office of the Irkutsk Mayor within a single month. The first was filed after the administration refused to permit the “For a Free Internet” rally in defence of Telegram, citing excessive public interest in the question of Internet restrictions. The Kirovsky District Court of Irkutsk has already heard that claim and ruled in favour of the Mayor’s Office; the decision is to be appealed.