On September 24, Communist Party leader Gennady Zyuganov was not allowed into Irkutsk Central Market, where he wanted to talk with vendors and learn prices and selection. The incident drew a sharp reaction from Mayor Dmitry Berdnikov, who called the market director's actions a provocation, took the investigation under personal control, and promised tough measures. Vladislav Sverdlov has been temporarily suspended pending an internal review.

On the afternoon of September 24, the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation, Gennady Zyuganov, was not allowed into the city’s Central Market. At about 12:20, Gennady Andreyevich, together with deputies, journalists, and security personnel, entered the market grounds.
The party leader was interested in prices and the range of goods, and he also wanted to speak with the vendors. However, he was met by the market director, Vladislav Sverdlov.
A group of people blocked the entrance to the covered area, and the vendors closed their windows and stalls to the leader of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation.
Police officers are identifying the instigators of the protest. Mayor Dmitry Berdnikov is extremely outraged by what is happening; he has taken the investigation under his personal control.
- I am extremely outraged by the situation that occurred today at the central market. I regard the unexpected and unprecedented action by market director Vladislav Sverdlov as a provocation. We were expecting Gennady Zyuganov’s visit, we knew that he planned to speak with vendors and buyers, and to look at the products and prices. I was given the task of ensuring the safety of this visit and creating all the conditions so that the visit would go smoothly. An internal investigation will be conducted and the strictest measures will be taken, - the mayor assured.
According to the press service of the Irkutsk administration, market director Vladislav Sverdlov has been temporarily suspended from his post for the duration of the internal investigation.
As a reminder, Gennady Zyuganov came to the region to support Sergei Levchenko in the second round of the gubernatorial election.