Overview
- A district court extended producer Alexey Samsonov’s custody in a special center until January 29, 2026 because deportation cannot proceed without identity documents.
- Samsonov, a Kazakhstan citizen, was fined 5,000 rubles and ordered administratively expelled under Article 18.8 of Russia’s Code of Administrative Offenses.
- Police arrived at the DAA Expo venue, checked IDs, and removed minors from a 18-plus event before the host announced the permit had been revoked and the festival was halted.
- Orthodox activist networks linked to the Sorok Sorokov movement had urged mass complaints, labeling the festival “satanic” and calling for action by prosecutors and investigators.
- Organizers say roughly 2,000 tickets were sold, promised refunds after the second day was canceled, and note the festival has run since 2016, previously under the Starcon Halloween name.