St Petersburg court orders administrative detention for 42 after street dispute

A St Petersburg district court imposed administrative detention on 42 people following a dispute on Bryantseva Street, the city courts’ joint press service reported after hearings on October 13 and 14.

The Kalininsky District Court considered 43 petty-hooliganism cases. Detention terms ranged from 1 to 8 days, most commonly 5 or 7. One case was dismissed because the person had merely been passing by and no offence was established.

The incident occurred on the evening of October 12 at a playground outside building 12. The court’s account described shouting, swearing, harassment of passers-by and disregard of objections. Some defendants admitted guilt, while others denied taking part in fighting.

Police initially reported 45 detainees aged 17 to 33 and 38 administrative detention orders. The later court statement

Regional police also reported opening a criminal hooliganism investigation. That is a separate proceeding and does not mean everyone given an administrative penalty has been convicted of a criminal offence.