Press Release, 25.06.2020

The Ministry of Public Security of the Sverdlovsk Region turned down Yabloko’s application for pickets in Yekaterinburg against Vladimir Putin’s amendments to the Constitution, citing the Ministry’s lack of information about the possibility of extending the COVID high-alert mode.

The first pickets of the Sverdlovsk branch of Yabloko in Yekaterinburg, as part of the campaign Speak Up  Against the Reset of the Presidential Terms, were to be held on June 23 and 24. The relevant notifications were submitted to the Ministry of Public Security on June 17 and 18. The responses from the Ministry indicate that holding any public events in the region during a pandemic is unacceptable and present a threat to human life and health.

“While in the coming days mass events are planned, such as the Victory Parade in Yekaterinburg with the participation of spectators and the nationwide voting on amendments to the Constitution, are planned, the statement  by the Ministry of Public Security about the danger of the picket looks like an absolute mockery,” activists of the regional branch of the party note.

“The Speak Up Against the Reset of the Presidential Terms campaign will continue under any circumstances and under any pressure and obstacles from the authorities. Soon we will publish information on our further actions,” Yabloko activists emphasise.