Press release, 18.02.2016
On 18 February, a symbolic action in memory of small business took place in Moscow by the Department of Trade and Services of Moscow. Member of YABLOKO Federal Political Committee and Chair of Moscow YABLOKO Sergei Mitrokhin laid flowers to the doors of the building and expressed his condolences to the entrepreneurs.

The Association of real estate owners invited Sergei Mitrokhin to take part in the action.

On 9 February, the Moscow branch of the YABLOKO party made a statement to express their categorical protest in connection with the mass demolition of the kiosks and small shopping centers which had taken place by order of the Moscow Mayor’s Office (City Hall) on the night of 9 February. According to the city government, the buildings had no formal planning permission. However, the owners claim that court confirmed the legal status of the constructions. YABLOKO states that that authorities destroy small business instead of supporting it.

Sergei Mitrokhin believes that one must resist to the arbitrary rule against small business in every lawful way.

Earlier Sergei Mitrokhin farwarded an application to the President of Russia where he pointed out at the obvious violation of Artcile 35 of the Constitution which says that “the right of private property shall be protected by law… no one may be deprived of property otherwise than by a court decision”.

Sergei Mitrokhin also claims that Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin, who ordered to start the mass demolition of the sales premises in Moscow, must offer explanations to the President of Russia in the presence of the aggrieved entrepreneurs.