Prosecutors in the Russian city of Lipetsk have ordered the removal of a bust of Soviet dictator Josef Stalin that was put up without permission by the local branch of the Communist Party on a city street earlier this year, the Interfax news agency reported Monday.
The city's commission for commemorating outstanding figures, historical events and naming streets and city locations had advised the Communists to erect the monument inside their headquarters, but they instead put it up outdoors, the report said.
Numerous requests to remove the bust were sent to the leader of the branch, Nikolai Razvorotnev, but to no avail.
Immediately after the monument was installed, an unidentified woman threw pink paint over it, Interfax reported.
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.
