Hundreds of protesters, most of them unmasked, gathered in Vladikavkaz, the capital of the southern Russian Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, on Monday, to demand the cancellation of the self-isolation regime. The unauthorized meeting near the building of the local government took place despite restrictions, which will last till April 30.

An initiative group of the protesters was formed and began negotiations with officials, TASS reported. The head of the republic, Vyacheslav Bitarov, earlier talked with protesting people, saying that authorities will help all those who need aid.

Bitarov also asked the republic’s residents to stay home because of the coronavirus pandemic, “as people in other countries do it,” but those gathered reportedly did not listen to him, according to reports. Around 1,500 people took part in the action, Kommersant daily said.

The number of Covid-19 cases in the republic is 177, and two people have died, according to the local Health Ministry.

Source: RT