The authorities of Irkutsk refused to coordinate a rally against articles about “fake news” about the army and its discrediting

The authorities of Irkutsk refused to approve a rally against articles about “fake news” about the Russian army and discrediting the army. The publication “7×7” writes about this.

The action was planned for August 20; according to the organizers, at least 200 people were supposed to take part in it. Officials refused to hold the event, citing coronavirus restrictions.

At the same time, as the magazine “People of Baikal” notes , throughout the summer the region hosts concerts, public events and public holidays - for example, on August 7, the “Festival of Young Potatoes and Pickled Cucumbers” was held in Irkutsk, and on August 20 the patriotic festival “For the Island” will take place. .

The notification was submitted to the mayor's office by human rights activist Valery Teterin, head of the regional branch of the Yabloko party Grigory Gribenko and founder of the New Russia - Free Country movement Pavel Kharitonenko. They believe that Articles 207.3 of the Criminal Code (“fakes” about the Russian army) and 20.3.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (discrediting the Russian army) contradict the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and the prohibition of censorship.

• At the beginning of July 2022, Rospotrebnadzor lifted the Covid restrictions. Regional bans on holding rallies continue to apply, as they were imposed by the heads of some constituent entities of the Russian Federation. Rospotrebnadzor does not have the right to lift these restrictions, but the agency’s decision may prompt regional officials to lift them.
• After the start of the war in Ukraine, the Russian authorities began to react sharply to protest sentiments: they not only ordered to call the invasion a “special operation”, but also quickly adopted amendments on imprisonment for up to 15 years for spreading “fake news” about the Russian army. Dissenters are persecuted not only under the new article of the criminal code: in various cases, security forces charge hooliganism, vandalism, violence against authorities and other violations.