Pro-Putin conspirator organized anti-voice rallies in Australia

Simeon Boykov has been living on the territory of the Russian consulate in Sydney since December last year

An Australian pro-Putin commentator admitted that he helps organize rallies against the landmark reform of indigenous peoples peoples, holed up in the Russian consulate in Sydney.

Simeon Boykov, 33, known as the «Australian Cossack», is using his Telegram messaging channel to promote «No» rallies in cities across Australia this Saturday ahead of a referendum on the changes on October 14.

The vote will decide whether Australia's constitution should be adapted to give Indigenous people the right to consultation on policies that affect them — known as a Voice.

“Yes, I play a big role in organizing the rally in Sydney. The documents are in my name,” Boykov said in a telephone conversation from the Russian consulate.

“We should be suspicious of everything that the government tries to push down our throats,” he said.

“When in doubt, assume the government is lying to you. And there are many doubts.”

Simeon Boykov is known by the nickname “Australian Cossack”; and has more than 60,000 subscribers on Telegram

NSW Police confirmed one rally in Sydney's Hyde Park had been cleared to go ahead this Saturday.

Police did not provide details about the incident. organizers.

Boikov said the weekend rallies were part of a series of «freedom» protests he is promoting, particularly aimed at the Australian government's handling of Covid.

An anti-vaccination activist lives on the grounds of the Russian consulate in Sydney. since December last year, when he was charged with assaulting a 76-year-old man during a protest in the city.

“Yes, I am locked in the consulate, but it allows me to do what I need.” , said Boykov, who has more than 60,000 subscribers on Telegram.

“I have a whole studio here. “They provided me with everything,” he added.

“I can’t see my friends and go out, but I can do what’s most important.”

New South Wales Police said they were seeking the arrest of a 33-year-old man on two outstanding warrants relating to an assault conviction and a parole revocation.

Boikov was sentenced in his absence in February for assaulting an elderly person a man at a rally in Sydney, Australian media reported.

Reform for indigenous peoples

More than 200 years after British colonization, Indigenous peoples, whose ancestors have lived on the continent for some 60,000 years, live shorter lives than other Australians, have less education and are far more likely to die in police custody.

But the plan is to make Constitutional changes that would give Indigenous people more of a say in policies affecting their communities are under threat.

Recent polls show about 60 percent against reform versus 40 percent in support—almost the same situation as a year ago.

Opponents of the reform, including the Conservative opposition, say it would provide special benefits to Indigenous people while adding an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.

They also complain there is not enough detail on how “Voice of Indigenous Peoples” will work. The exact process will be debated and legislated by Parliament if the «yes» option prevails.

For a referendum to pass, it requires majority support throughout Australia, as well as a majority in at least four of the six states.

p>

To hold a referendum, you need majority support throughout Australia, as well as a majority in at least four of the six states.

p>