One hundred percent lawlessness

One of the candidates for mayor of Sochi, co-chairman of the United Democratic Movement Solidarity, Boris Nemtsov, held a press conference in Moscow on April 6, at which he spoke about violations and, in his opinion, unprecedented pressure on people. Nemtsov called “one hundred percent lawlessness” what is happening in Sochi regarding the mayoral elections. “What is happening there threatens not only the reputation of Sochi, but also the country,” he said.

“This is total censorship, active and aggressive intervention by the special services, unprecedented pressure on people, intimidation of voters, as well as preparation for large-scale falsification,” Nemtsov said.

The reason for the press conference was an attack by local authorities on Nemtsov’s headquarters, which resulted in the seizure of copies of the candidate’s campaign materials, an attack by armed riot police on a printing house with which Nemtsov’s headquarters collaborates, and the detention of activists who posted campaign materials for Nemtsov.

The candidate told reporters that the headquarters “has been under total surveillance from the very beginning, all telephone conversations are wiretapped, and there is reason to assert that the transfer of money to the election account from New York, which is prohibited by law, is also the work of the special services.” Nemtsov’s relatives living in Sochi are also under pressure: they told him through intermediaries that if they meet with him, they will be fired.

Nemtsov has to meet with voters in cheburechnaya shops, markets and on the street, since he is denied premises for meetings.