The Moscow City Court recognized as legal the refusal to approve a “glasnost rally” in the center of Moscow

The Moscow City Court recognized as legal the decision of the Tverskoy District Court of Moscow, which refused to approve the “glasnost rally” on Pushkinskaya Square. A participant in OVD-Info reported this from the courtroom.

The main goal of the “glasnost rally” is “to attract the attention of society and the authorities to the need to protect freedom of speech and freedom of assembly.” The idea to hold a “glasnost rally” arose as a response to the arrest of the leader of the “For Human Rights” movement, Lev Ponomarev.

The action was planned to take place on December 22. The Moscow authorities refused to approve the “glasnost rally,” explaining that another event would be held on the specified day at the declared location. Officials did not specify which one.

The organizers were offered to hold a rally in Hyde Park in Sokolniki. According to the law, an action with the participation of up to one and a half thousand people can be held in Hyde Park without the approval of the authorities. The notice indicated that up to a thousand people could hold a “glasnost rally” on Pushkin Square, which means that Hyde Park in this case cannot be an alternative site.

After this, human rights activistsstated that they intended to negotiate with the authorities and also appeal their decision in court. As a result, the Tverskoy court supported the position of the authorities.

• The organizers of the rally are representatives of five human rights organizations. They planned to hold an action on Pushkin Square, where the first “glasnost rally” took place on December 5, 1965 - KGB officers dispersed it a few minutes after it began.