The Ministry of Justice refused to consider meetings with deputies as public events

The Ministry of Justice, in its response to the amendments to the law on public events, indicated that meetings with deputies should not be equated with rallies. It is reported by Novaya Gazeta with reference to Vedomosti.

According to the department, if the police do not have information about the planned meeting of voters with deputies, they will not be able to ensure security during the event. But if the meeting is initiated by voters, it cannot be regulated by the legislation on rallies.

From June 18, deputies are required to coordinate meetings with voters, if they are not held in premises, “specially designated places” and “household territories”.

Deputies from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, the Liberal Democratic Party and A Just Russia filed a joint complaint against this provision with the Constitutional Court. Consideration of the complaint should take place on 17 October.

In their complaint, the deputies point out that in connection with the amendments, “restrictions have been created for the deputies of all levels to fulfill their obligations to hold meetings with voters.” and remind that Articles 97 and 98 of the Constitution "do not imply the possibility of such restrictions."

In addition, the amendments to the law on rallies allow the termination of the powers of a deputy if he does not fulfill his duties for 30 or more days, one of which is to maintain contact with voters. According to parliamentarians, this creates "a potential threat to the early termination of the powers of any deputy." Separately, the deputies note that the amendments make the legislative branch dependent on the executive branch, thereby violating the "constitutional principle of independence and autonomy of state authorities."

fined - Under the new law, at least one deputy has already been on June 27, the Lefortovo Court of Moscow fined Alexandra Andreeva, deputy of the Lefortovo district, 25,000 rubles for a meeting with residents at which the renovation taking place in the capital was discussed. But later the Moscow City Court overturned this decision.