In 2008 order to build a toll highway from Moscow to St. Petersburg through Khimki Forest won the French construction company Vinci, which together with its subsidiary Eurovia created in Russia OOO Northwest Concession Company (SZKK). The beginning of the work was scheduled for May 2010. According to Interfax, "The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in late [2009], signed with with the World Economic Bank, the European Investment Bank, the Agency for export credit insurance, France and SZKK Memorandum of Understanding project expressway. However, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has not taken any final decisions on project finance so as not approve of his environmental expertise. " The Moscow City Government also refused to endorse the project.
In 2007, when it became known the decision to build highway, Khimki residents create a movement for the preservation of forests. The results of the environmental review and public hearings, cost-effective alternative projects are regularly ignored by the local administration. Local activists and journalists, the speakers on the subject, subjected to threats and attacks. Three of the loudest, but not isolated cases: brutal attack on journalist Michael Beketov (2008) and activist Albert Pchelintsev (2009), who miraculously survived, and a failed attempt to shoot down a motor vehicle activist Yevgeny Chirikov (2010). Residents of Khimki, involved in forest protection, to become a regular police provocations and attacks by unknown. They rudely detained during the picket, torture in police stations are locked in their own homes, burn their cars, set fire to the house. (See the great chronicle of events: http://www.ecmo.ru/Hronos/ )
In May 2009 the Russian Ministry of Transport has officially cancels the decision of Moscow Region Governor Gromov № 358/16, reserved for the "transport infrastructure and other capital construction" road forest belt width of 3000 meters to each side of the projected axis. Moreover, the route cuts through the forest into two parts and makes the "loop", extends her for at least 8 km, compared with a variant of strip along the October Railway. However, in November the same year, Prime Minister of the Government of the Russian Federation Putin signed an order number 1642 on the transfer of land Khimki forest land transport and industry. In March 2010 the Supreme Court refuses Khimki forest defenders in the lawsuit at the disposal of Putin № 1642, in clear violation of law and the judge recognized the falsification of documents on the status of Khimki forest.
In July 2010 began implementing a plan Vinci / Eurovia involving FGU Roads of Russia ": the company hired by the Executive Ltd" Heat "has begun to deforestation, even without permits. Residents of Khimki, members of environmental and anti-fascist movements, human rights and political organizations are split on-site logging camp to discourage illegal destruction of forests. The camp was repeatedly attacked by unknown mercenaries, camp participants periodically delayed police and riot police, several residents Khimki committed street attacks. Felling machines appear in other parts of the forest, despite the previous lack of permits and on examination results in the Prosecutor's Office, the Public Chamber of Russia and the European Parliament, confirming the illegal logging. Currently, the track was almost completely cut down, quickly and completely illegal. But the forest can still be saved if the construction will be routes for alternative option.
In late July, is a manifestation of the administration building of Khimki. Several hundred members of social movements, mainly the anti-fascists and anarchists protesting against the criminal position of the local administration and express their solidarity with the defenders of the forest. The building is divided into several panes, on the walls by the inscription "Save the Russian forest!" At the scene no one was detained. But the next day the police "in retaliation" comes home for the two public figures anti-fascist movement, Alexey and Maxim Gaskarova Solopova and arresting them without presenting any evidence. Gaskarov Solopov and remanded in custody for two months, have been charged and face up to 7 years imprisonment. At present, their lives and health at risk: police set against them from other prisoners.
situation is critical. Threatened green life in Moscow and Europe. Our total net air. Endanger the safety of people active in Khimki, freedom and lives of members of antifascist movement. Really need your solidarity!
Demand on Russian and international structures:
Stop bloody trail!
Freedom Maxim Solopova and Alexei Gaskarova!
stop the persecution of Eugenia Chirikov and defenders Khimki forest!
Originally published at Committee on January 19 . You can comment here or there .
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