The mayor's office banned protests in the center of Moscow against pension reform

The Moscow City Hall prohibited trade unions from holding a rally and march against raising the retirement age in the city center on July 18.

Instead, the organizers of the action were offered two alternative sites - Pererva Street in Lyublino and Sokolniki Park. The organizers rejected the proposed options.

The head of the Moscow Department of Regional Security and Anti-Corruption, Vladimir Chernikov, said that the authorities consider the requirement to hold an action in the center of Moscow impossible due to the ongoing World Cup.

“Despite the need to ensure unprecedented security measures in connection with the World Cup, we, nevertheless, met the organizers who contacted us halfway,” Chernikov said.

Interfax

• During the 2018 World Cup in Russia, by presidential decree , a special procedure for holding mass actions is in effect. The championship will end on July 15, the decree is valid until July 25.
• Trade unions proposed two route options for the rally and procession - from Pushkinskaya Square to Sakharov Avenue or from Samotechnaya Square to Suvorov Square. In addition to trade unions, the co-organizers of the action were the parties “A Just Russia”, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and “Yabloko”, as well as the movement “Rot Front” and “Civil Initiative”.