Prosecutors have opened a check into whether drivers' rights were violated earlier this week when a massive traffic jam paralyzed the only Moscow-St. Petersburg highway.
The move was prompted by media reports of shoddy work by road workers, including those charged with clearing the M-10 highway of snow, prosecutors said in a statement Thursday.
Officials have denied responsibility for the 70-kilometer traffic jam, which trapped an estimated 9,000 drivers, many with scarce food, water and fuel, following heavy snowfall.
Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin has blamed the "ineffective work of road services," saying road workers failed to cover roads with deicing agents in time.
(MT)
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
