Rallies in memory of murdered oppositionists Alexey Navalny and Boris Nemtsov were prohibited in Kirov, Barnaul, and Ulyanovsk, as reported by the 'Simbirsky shugozhor' Telegram channel on February 21.
The Barnaul administration had initially authorized the Altai division of the Yabloko party to conduct a rally in memory of Boris Nemtsov. However, on February 21, officials revoked the permission. Organizers decided to cancel the demonstration so that they do not put its participants at risk.
The chairman of the Kirov branch of the People’s Freedom Party, Vadim Ananyev, and the activist Mikhail Semyonov planned a similar event near the city hall on February 25. According to them, authorities used to authorize rallies in memory of Boris Nemtsov at this location. This time, however, officials claimed that it would be too dangerous to hold a rally due to technical works at the square scheduled for the same day. They suggested commemorating the deceased politicians in a settlement 10 kilometers away from Kirov. Ananyev and Semyonov told '7x7' that they had already filed a lawsuit against this decision.
Ulyanovsk authorities did not authorize a demonstration in a public garden because it will serve as a venue for Vladimir Putin’s supporters. Later, they outright banned the rally, stating that 'Navalny's persona is widely recognized, and he is an integral part of mass culture' and adding that his activities are associated with organizations prohibited in Russia.
Alexey Navalny was murdered on February 16, 2024, in a penal colony in Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. His body still has not been handed over to his mother. Politician Boris Nemtsov was shot dead in the center of Moscow on February 27, 2015.
