In Sochi, picketers complain of corruption and environmental problems (+video)

According to Nikolai Scherbakov, an organizer of a picket, the authorities have sanctioned an action only from the ninth time. Picketers reported the environmental problems in the city, inaction of officials, and corruption. This was reported by the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

On August 20, a picket against corruption was held in a square at the TsUM (Central Department Store) in front of the Sochi railway station. 20 people came to the picket.

Nikolai Scherbakov, the leader of the Komsomol organization and the organizer of the picket, has reported that earlier, the authorities refused to sanction an event and referred to various pretexts.

"That fact forced me to sue the Sochi administration at court, and only after that they sanctioned the picket. The authorities are afraid of hearing truth about them. They try to use all methods in attempts to silence those who do not support corruption in the authorities," stated Nikolai Scherbakov.

"We almost lost the resort of Sochi: green areas are cut down for commercial development, and the rivers are contaminated," said Nina Rogachova, a coordinator of the public movement "Open Sochi".

Vladimir Ostapuk, the leader of the Sochi Ecological Council and the leader of the Belarusian community, has noted he is being persecuted for his environmental and educational activities.

Driver Nikolai Konovalchuk reported how in his yard a private company stole a car which stood near the garage and did not bother anyone.

Following the result of the action, the picketers decided to come more often to rallies and pickets and to attract more people of different ages and professions to them.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.