In Novosibirsk, a rally of the wives of the mobilized was not allowed. Instead, a meeting of families with officials was held at the local recreation center. The media were not allowed there • Meduza • RIMA

In Novosibirsk, a rally of the wives of the mobilized was not allowed. Instead, a meeting of families with officials was held at the local recreation center. The media were not allowed there

In Novosibirsk, in the House of Culture named after the October Revolution, a meeting was held between local officials and the wives of those mobilized, who demand the return of their husbands from the war in Ukraine.

The families of those mobilized intended to hold rallies on November 19 in different cities of Russia, but everywhere they received refusals from the authorities. In particular, the Novosibirsk mayor's office refused to approve the rally due to the fact that its purpose allegedly “violates the principle of legality.” Later, authorities allowed the event to be held as an indoor meeting.

According to the publication “Courier. Wednesday,” in total about 30 people gathered for the meeting, and there were more police officers and officials in the hall of the cultural center than relatives of the mobilized.

“The entrance is strictly through the frames with metal detectors. All mobilized people and their relatives are searched inside the premises, they look at what is in their bags, and they look at what is written on the posters. Most of the relatives do not want to talk to the media, everyone is intimidated, the police are checking what is on everyone’s poster,” the publication writes.

The police did not allow journalists to enter the event. Only film crews from OTS and Vesti from TV channels controlled by regional authorities got inside. Correspondents from more than a dozen other publications, including Kommersant, REN TV, NGS and Kurier. Wednesday”, were denied accreditation.

Families of Russians fighting in Ukraine demand that the maximum period for those mobilized in the war be limited to one year, that all wounded be discharged, and that the list of illnesses for which one cannot be drafted into the army be expanded.

According to the participants of the meeting in the Novosibirsk Palace of Culture, they do not believe that this meeting will bring any results and the authorities will listen to their demands.