The leadership of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology has cancelled the meet and greet session with Dmitry Muratov, the chief editor of Novaya Gazeta. A statement by Dmitry Livanov, the university president, is available on the university’s website.
“We had plans to hold an open meeting with Dmitry Muratov, a journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner. I believe that the MIPT community is open to communication with talented professionals in various fields, intellectuals with a broad audience. These principles have granted a “pass” for the guests of our university and this is how our open meetings went in the past,” the statement said.
Livanov says the session is being postponed rather than entirely cancelled. The new date remains undisclosed. This decision was made “due to serious risks of external provocations and the growing tension in our society,” Livanov noted.
Nationalist Telegram channels noted earlier that the announcement of the session had been removed from the university’s website and social media.
“Back in January, I was invited to a meet and greet session with MIPT students. I warned the university that trouble would come with me. Yesterday, when the session was announced on the university website, it was subjected to disgusting criticism from various radicals,” Muratov commented on the matter. “I know a lot about this legendary university. I am friends with many of its great alumni. I deeply respect students and teachers, the traditions of intellectual freedom, and the great principles of Pyotr Kapitsa which have long united students and scientists. And, of course, I understand the reason why the university has notified me and the students about the postponement of the meeting.”
