Russia to close Red Square on New Year’s Eve

Moscow's Red Square, traditionally a place where people gather to ring in the New Year, will be closed to revelers on December 31, city authorities said on Monday, amid mounting security concerns.

This year, police will turn back everyone showing up at the square for the countdown to ­midnight sounded by the chimes on the Kremlin's tower clock, Moscow security chief Alexei Mayorov was quoted as saying on city hall's ­website.

The official reason given for the unprecedented closure of the square, one of Russia's top tourist attractions, was the filming of a live concert for state-run Channel One television that only a select audience will be allowed to attend.

Mayorov said the police would tell anyone else that wants to join in "that Red Square is closed for an event and that there are a lot of ­other places around where people can have a wonderful time."

Speaking to Kommersant radio, former lawmaker Alexander ­Klyukin said the surprise move was "the same as closing off Times Square in New York."

Moscow has introduced a raft of tighter security measures since the terror attacks in Paris in November.

The attacks added to the nervousness caused by the downing of a Russian passenger plane over Egypt's Sinai in late October, killing 224 people in what Moscow says was an act of terror. Metal detectors have been installed at the entrances to shopping centers.
 AFP - globaltimes.cn
28-29/12/15
--
-
Related:

• Europe on alert over New Year’s Eve attack fears

• Austrian police tighten security after terror warning

• Americans advised caution in traveling during holiday season

• Belgium to maintain 2nd highest terror threat level until year-end