The commission that outlines rules for construction in Moscow's historical zones has been forced to cease activity by the city's prosecutor's office, the RIA Novosti news agency reported Wednesday.
The commission responsible for the cultural preservation of Moscow, popularly known as the 'demolition commission' due to its authority on building demolition, was officially closed at the request of the prosecutor's office, Deputy Mayor Marat Khusnullin said Wednesday.
Although the commission has now been dissolved, it had not officially functioned for a year.
The commission responsible for the cultural preservation of Moscow was tasked with the preservation of the city's historic structures, though it was criticized by activist groups for failing to protect buildings of cultural importance throughout its tenure.
“We are now working within the framework of the Town Planning Code,” Khusnullin said, recalling that the commission's purpose was protecting Moscow's historic appearance.
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.
