23:56, 1 March 2005

Antiwar picket banned in Saint Petersburg

An Antiwar Committee picket "against the Russian government's policy in the North Caucasus" scheduled for 27 February was not held, just like a similar action scheduled for 20 February, Petr Raush, a Committee activist, said.

The reason, as Raush sees it, was the counteraction on the part of the administration of Saint Petersburg's Central district which has lately systematically refused to sanction the Committee's actions on what the activists think far-fetched and illegal grounds. The notice lodged with the district administration did not have the signatures of two of the three action organisers, which served as a ground for the refusal, although the federal law stipulates that the signature of one of them only is required.

"Activists and the organisers of the picket are going to challenge the actions of Ms Shtukova, head of the Central district administration, in court," Petr Raush said.

Author: Vyacheslav Feraposhkin, CK correspondent