In Sochi, 300 persons attend funeral of civil society activist

Today, in Sochi, Anatoly Makhnovskiy, a 64-year-old chairman of the territorial public self-administration (TPS) "Kudepsta", was buried. More than 300 city residents came to say goodbye to the civil activist.

The memorial service was held today from 12:00 a.m. till 13:00 p.m. in Kudepsta near the TPS building, in the church, located nearby in No. 7 in Rostov Street. "However, it was rather a protest rally against the authorities' actions," said Igor Vasiliev, the assistant of the deputy of the State Duma of the Russian Federation.

He said that the memorial service was attended by more than 3000 persons. The city residents marched through Kudepsta along Darwin Street to the TPS building and the church. The participants of the improvised meeting claimed that the TPS Chairman died because of pressure from the authorities. "According to the official examination, Anatoly Makhnovskiy died from coronary heart disease; however, in fact, we all know the real reason. Larisa Vagina, the deputy head of the Khosta District Administration, came to the memorial service and brought a wreath; however, the city residents tore the ribbon and threw it away, since they treated that as the sacrilegious gesture, made by the administration," Igor Vasiliev said.

The memorial service was attended by other TPS Chairpersons, including Igor Platonov, Gennady Bedrakov, and Natalia Kalinovskaya, who agreed with the opinion, expressed by Igor Vasiliev.

It should be noted that today, the magistrate court precinct No. 92 was to hold a trial against Anatoly Makhnovskiy. The court session to consider charges against Anatoly Makhnovskiy and Pavel Chesnokov of holding the unsanctioned rally on August 14 was scheduled for September 14; however, it was not held because of the death of Anatoly Makhnovskiy. The trial against Pavel Chesnokov was rescheduled for September 20 for 12:00 a.m. Moscow time.