Prosecutor Questions Legality Of Demolition In Historic Moscow Area

Protesters block a gate to the construction site to stop Kadashi demolitions in Moscow on May 24.

MOSCOW -- Russian Prosecutor-General Yury Chaika has officially asked Moscow's prosecutor to scrutinize the legality of the demolition of old buildings in Moscow's historic Kadashi district, RFE/RL's Russian Service reports.

Buildings in the area have been demolished as part of a controversial redevelopment plan.

Sergei Udaltsov, a coordinator of the Moscow-based opposition Levy Front (Left Front) movement, told RFE/RL that an attempt was made to send construction equipment and vehicles to the Kadashi district on June 6.

Udaltsov said dozens of activists blocked the passage of the vehicles and prevented them reaching their destination.

Employees of a private security company tried but failed to disperse the activists.

Dozens of activists have been staging a protest near the Church of the Resurrection in Kadashi since May 24. The protesters have urged city officials to reconsider their plans for developing the district.