The ceremony took place on the afternoon of October 21 at the city hall of the French capital. The award was presented by Jean-Luc Romero-Michel, Deputy Mayor of Paris responsible for human rights, integration, and the fight against discrimination, reports "Novaya Gazeta".
The Deputy Mayor reminded that this title has existed for "more than twenty years" and during this time it has been awarded to "about 35 people". The decision to name Ilya Yashin and Oleg Orlov* Honorary Citizens of Paris on July 9 was unanimously made by the Municipal Council of the capital. Romero expressed hope that he will soon present the title to Oleg Orlov as well, and also remembered the deceased Boris Nemtsov and Alexei Navalny**.
Ilya Yashin, in turn, noted that he considers it his very important mission to defend the rights and represent the interests of the anti-war, pro-democratic part of Russian society. "I very much hope that my voice as an honorary citizen of Paris will be more heard, more loud," Yashin stated.
As "Novaya" writes, the ceremony was attended by Alexei Navalny's lawyer Olga Mikhailova** and Vadim Prokhorov, the defender of Yashin and Nemtsov.
* Recognized in Russia as "foreign agents".
** Included in the list of "terrorists and extremists".
Photo: Novaya Gazeta