14 Jun 2019 11:02

Moscow govt to create conditions for pro-Golunov rally on Sakharov Avenue

MOSCOW. June 14 (Interfax) - The Moscow government will create conditions for the permitted rally in support for Meduza journalist Ivan Golunov, which is due to take place on Akademika Sakharova Avenue on June 16.

"The city executive authorities have allowed the rally to take place. Relevant measures have been taken to create conditions for the public event," Vasily Oleinik, first deputy head of the Moscow regional security and anti-corruption department, said in a letter seen by Interfax on Friday.

The rally will be held on the external side of Akademika Sakharova Avenue in the center of Moscow from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. A stage will be built opposite House No. 9, and the planned turnout is 20,000.

The rally was initiated by Moscow Journalists' Union Chairman Pavel Gusev, Russian Journalists' Union Chairman Vladimir Solovyov, and member of the Presidential Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Yekaterina Vinokurova.

Gusev told Interfax on Thursday that the organizers had changed the theme of the June 16 rally from "support for journalist Golunov" to "law and justice for all."

Golunov was apprehended in the center of Moscow on June 6 and charged with intent to distribute drugs. Golunov pleaded not guilty and linked the detention to his reports on the funeral business, regarding which he was being threatened.

Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said on June 11 that examinations did not support the accusations against Golunov and the charges were dropped. The journalist was set free. The case was closed.