Russian bikers denied entry to Germany might join Victory parade in Sevastopol

SEVASTOPOL, May 6. /TASS/. Three bikers, who had been planning to take part in a car race "The Roads of Victory" across several European states, had their plan thwarted because they were denied permission to enter Germany. Instead, the three bikers will join a Victory Parade in Sevastopol on May 9. The bikers will join a motorcade which will follow behind armored vehicles during a Victory parade in Sevastopol on May 9, Sevastopol Governor Sergei Menyailo told TASS.

"We appreciate the Night Wolves (to which the three bikers belong) for their contribution to the patriotic education of the youth in Sevastopol, which they have been doing for many years. The car race, which has been following the route of glory of our fathers and grandfathers, shows that the people in Europe remember and pay tribute to the WWII heroes. With the bikers' support the Banner of Victory will have been brought to Berlin on May 9," the Sevastopol governor said.

He criticized the authorities of a number of the European countries, who had denied permission to the Russian bikers to enter their respective territory, saying it was "an act of violation of democracy." "The "totalitarian" Russia, as some western critics say, has invited all the countries of the world to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Great Victory, while Europe, which declared itself an "open" country, has turned away the Russian citizens - descendants of the WWII heroes," the Sevastopol governor said.

After the parade the Sevastopol governor intends to discuss with the Russian bikers prospects for creation of a Russian Patriotic Center near the Gasfort mountain where the bikers hold their annual bike shows. The idea to create the Center was suggested by leader of the Night Wolves Alexander Zaldostanov - a surgeon by profession.The centre will have a sports training center and a race course for international car race competitions for children.

The car race Moscow-Berlin set off on April 25 as an act of remembrance of the Soviet soldiers. The Night Wolves were to cross the territory of Belarus, Poland, Slovakia, Austria, the Czech Republic and arrive in Berlin to complete their mission on May 9.