On Sunday night, Moscow authorities began a second wave of street kiosk demolition.
Onlookers reported that demolition works began at
midnight throughout the city, including the city center. It was
announced last week that around 80 Moscow pavilions and kiosks were
scheduled for razing on Sunday night.
The new phase of demolition follows a similar operation in
February 2016, when about 100 pavilions, kiosks and small shopping
centers were demolished overnight.
According to Moscow authorities, the buildings had been
constructed illegally, despite owners coming forth with the necessary paperwork. “One can’t hide behind ownership
papers, obviously fraudulently obtained,” Moscow mayor Sergei
Sobyanin wrote on his VKontakte page in February.
The list of structures set for demolition was announced at the end
of June. In August 2015, Moscow authorities approved financial
compensation for owners who demolished their pavilions voluntarily.
Of the 104 kiosk owners whose businesses were bulldozed in
February, 11 have challenged the demolition in Moscow courts, but to no
avail, the newsru.com website reported.
