Activists who unsuccessfully campaigned against the partial destruction of the Khimki forest for a highway will nominate a 2012 presidential candidate, an environmental group said Thursday.
The statement on the Ecodefense web site did not identify a candidate but said the decision was made after President Dmitry Medvedev refused to change construction plans for the $8 billion highway.
Medvedev ordered construction to halt after the activists clashed with workers in the forest this summer but approved the project Tuesday.
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.
