Excavators raze illegal halal cafe, flower shop

Demolition of illegal shawarma shops and kiosks began on Lugovaya Street in Vladivostok. The cleanup of illegal trade involves heavy machinery: an excavator demolishes buildings that housed a flower shop and a halal cafe with shawarma «Doner Kebab», as well as several illegal fruit and food kiosks.

A photographer for VLADIVOSTOK1.RU reported from the scene that the demolition target includes the relatively new bright orange building of a 24-hour halal fast-food cafe at 21 Lugovaya Street, building 2.

The area around the worksite was cordoned off: pedestrian access was temporarily closed from the crossing from Lugovaya to Novoivanovskaya Street. Workers politely turned people away and directed them to an alternative route.

Also on site were people in black clothing, camouflage, tactical vests, and unofficial patches. One of them — a man in a black mask — obstructed filming despite being shown a press card.

«Don«t come here, don»t film here. I have an event going on,» he told the photographer.

The correspondent noted that the individuals who interfered with the media representative«s work did not identify themselves or disclose which agency they were from.

The demolition on Lugovaya is a continuation of the campaign to eliminate illegal retail outlets in Vladivostok. Last week, for example, city authorities finally closed a popular shawarma point in the Pervaya Rechka (First River) area.