Particle.news
Download on the App Store

St. Petersburg Court Jails Protesters as Police Open Case in Disputed VNIIB Demolition

Russia's Investigative Committee requested a legal review of the teardown after heritage officials said work is barred during a pending listing.

Overview

  • On January 9, a district court issued five-day arrests and fines to several detainees from the January 8 protest, and placed the gas-spray suspect under house arrest.
  • Police said a 54-year-old resident sprayed a guard with a gas canister during the confrontation, opening a hooliganism case and detaining the suspect.
  • KGIOP told police the demolition is unlawful while a December 22 application to list the building is under review, which temporarily confers protected status.
  • The Investigative Committee said the building and land are privately owned by developer 2-y Murinsky, which holds a construction permit through the end of 2027 and demolition work orders.
  • Demolition activity began on January 8 as excavators arrived, with at least 19 detentions reported and activists claiming the developer brought in temporary workers to secure the site.