Vladikavkaz: veterans of power agencies hold rally

On March 25, the capital of North Ossetia was the venue of a rally held by the public organization of power agents-veterans "Law Is Above Power" with a demand to return the privileges and compensatory payments.

The action brought together about five hundred warfare veterans and retired MIA and MfE employees.

Stanislav Zoloev, retired militia lieutenant colonel, emphasized in his speech that "for 15 years already, the republic's authorities keep attacking veterans' rights, while reporting at the same time about the achievements and that the average salary is 15,000 roubles."

Another retired militia lieutenant colonel - Igor Kokoev, who represented the "Law Is Above Power", noted that his NGO is working for more than 15 years and has data that back in 2004, 4500 pensioners and MIA employees of North Ossetia were granted the status of warfare veterans for their participation in operations in Northern Caucasus. "According to Russian legislation, they were awarded privileges and compensatory payments. However, in 2008 all the payments were stopped by someone's arbitrary decision. Veterans went to court; but bureaucrats would not enforce the judgements," he said.

At the end of the rally, the audience decided to hold protest actions every month, the "Echo of the Caucasus" reports. They will demand protection of veterans' rights and protest against rise of housing and communal tariffs, unemployment, and corruption in public health sphere and education.

The "Kasparov.Ru" writes that the militia tried to prevent the action - not to let protesters to the Freedom Square, under the pretext of rehearsal of the May 9 Parade to be held there. The protesters had to move to an adjoining street, while militiamen installed metal barriers in the square.