Checkmate, Navalny. Your presidential campaign might offend religious sentiments, St. Petersburg officials declare

Officials in St. Petersburg have refused to grant a demonstration permit to supporters of Alexey Navalny, arguing that the activists’ plans could offend religious sentiments, according to the news agency Fontanka.

City authorities in the Petrogradsky District of St. Petersburg reportedly rejected a request to allow 10 activists to display Navalny’s presidential campaign materials not far from St. Vladimir's Cathedral. Pointing out that the church is visited by large numbers of Russian Orthodox believers, “including children,” the local officials claimed, “Carrying out a public event could offend the religious believers’ feelings.”

City officials also argued that the 10-person rally could disrupt traffic on adjacent highways, by distracting drivers and pedestrians, possibly even leading to road collisions.

The authorities are asking Navalny’s supporters to choose another, “less dangerous” location to stage the campaign rally.