Foreign participants at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum were provided with SIM cards and access to VPN services, the Bereg journalists’ cooperative reported, citing sources.
According to the outlet, journalists loyal to the Russian authorities were also asked not to emphasize expensive parties and conspicuous displays of luxury surrounding the forum in order to avoid irritating the public.
Bereg also reported that media were asked not to highlight the presence of sex-industry workers at events surrounding SPIEF.
The information is based on the journalists’ cooperative’s sources and was not officially confirmed by forum organizers.
The story is particularly notable against the backdrop of Russian restrictions on access to VPN services.