How a Moscow kebab shop has reignited debate over Stalin's legacy | CBC News

She said the matter-of-fact way that the image of a man responsible for millions of Russian deaths in the last century is being used to sell fast food is a terrible sign that modern-day Russia is forgetting the oppression of its Communist past.

Stanislav Voltman, 27, opened his storefront in the middle of the Russian new year holiday last week and celebrated a vigorous first day serving more than 200 customers.

All of the food was served up by Voltman and other workers dressed in uniforms of the NKVD, Stalin's secret police who would later become the KGB.

"Hitler for me is obvious evil," said Voltman, explaining why a store using Hitler's image to sell food would be different from one emblazoned with Stalin. .

"Under Boris Yeltsin, [people] died, too, and disappeared — and during the reign of Ivan the Terrible and Peter the Great — all of this happened in history," said Voltman, suggesting that Stalin wasn't the only Russian leader who employed violence to stay in power.

"For Russian youngsters, Stalin is a figure from the distant past. His appearance ...

The Levada Center, the only independent polling agency in Russia, has noted Stalin's image has consistently improved during Putin's long rule, with roughly 70 per cent of Russians surveyed now saying he played a positive role in the country's history.

Still, it appears Moscow authorities would prefer Voltman's food stand would simply go away.

After Voltman refused to do either, he said they unplugged his refrigerator, spoiling his food, and took him in for hours of questioning and "humiliation.".

"I would have pangs of conscience if I had put up slogans about the gulag and the deaths of people … but I'm not hurting anyone with this."

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