Zlatoust, Russia, June 18, 2020
Photo: mnews74.ru Police in the city of Zlatoust in the Chelyabinsk Province, Russia have opened a criminal case concerning the desecration of a monument to Tsar-Martyr Nicholas II on the territory of the local cathedral.
“The incident occurred on Tuesday. A criminal case was opened under part 1 of article 214 of the Russian criminal code (vandalism). The persons involved are being identified,” the press service of the local provincial branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs reported to Interfax today.
An informed source also reported to Interfax that the monument was doused with red paint, with “1903” written on it, though according to the mayor’s office, it has already been cleaned.
“In 1903, workers were shot in Zlatoust. But this isn’t some kind of ideological action. It’s more likely another specially initiated scandalous episode before the vote for the constitution and the upcoming elections for city assembly deputies… We can assume that a negative agenda is being formulated specifically to undermine the authority of the government,” the source said.
45 people were killed and another 87 injured when workers at defense enterprises rioted in 1903 and attempted to storm their boss’ house.
The monument to Tsar Nicholas was installed on the square in front of St. Seraphim Cathedral in 2018, timed to the 100th anniversary of the martyrdom of the Royal Family, the 150th anniversary of the birth of Tsar Nicholas, and the 100th anniversary of the formation of the Chelyabinsk and Zlatousk Diocese.
The monument was made with funds collected by city parishioners.
In June 2017, a monument to the Tsar was vandalized with green paint in Vladivostok, and in July 2017, another monument to Tsar Nicholas and Tsarevich Alexei was attacked with an axe just days after it was installed in front of the St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Novosibirsk. It was repaired and reconsecrated that September.
