Moscow authorities to raid stores in hunt for Nazi merchandise, ahead of Victory Day

Ahead of Russia’s May 9 Victory Day celebrations, authorities in Moscow are planning a series of inspections of clothing stores, gift shops, and newsstands in search of products with banned symbols, such as swastikas.

According to an anti-terrorism official in the Moscow city government, authorities will be looking for any materials, including souvenirs, containing swastikas or the emblems of banned organizations, and anything featuring propaganda, slogans, or leaflets that offends people on religious grounds or insults people’s ethnic dignity.

Officials who discover any illegal merchandise will report it immediately to the Moscow police.

• In early April, a toy store in Moscow received an official police warning for selling a series of figurines depicting famous Nazi soldiers, such as SS Sturmbannführer Colonel Otto Skorzeny.
• For more, read This Victory Day in Moscow, buy your son that Nazi figurine he’s always wanted