In St. Petersburg, civil activists who came to an open hearing of the head of administration were detained

In St. Petersburg, near gymnasium No. 209, three people were detained, including an activist of the Beautiful Petersburg movement Alexander Vinogradov, who came to an open hearing of the city administration’s report on the results of 2018. This was reported to OVD-Info by the coordinator of "Beautiful Petersburg" Krasimir Vransky.

At the moment, three detainees are in police station No. 78, what they are presented with is still unknown. A few hours after the arrest, a public defender was allowed to visit them.

“In the Central District of St. Petersburg, there were public hearings of the report of the head of administration to the residents,” says Vransky. - Officials reported on what was done in 2018, and also shared plans for 2019. This is an open event, residents and activists tried to enter it, but they were not allowed in, and some were detained in a rude manner.”

According to Vransky, a provocation was set up against Alexander Vinogradov, during which he allegedly pushed an administration employee. After the incident, Vinogradov was detained.

The coordinator of "Beautiful Petersburg" also said that after that they detained two local residents who staged solo pickets near the gymnasium where the hearings were held. Initially, they were not allowed to attend the meeting, and then they printed posters at a nearby copy center. “They were also forcibly detained and pushed into a paddy wagon,” says Vransky.

The activists were detained during the day, and before being taken to the police station, they were kept in the cold in a paddy wagon for about three hours. “They have been held for more than six hours, and so far no charges have been brought against them, there is a possibility that they want to impute Article 20.17 of the Code of Administrative Offenses (breaking into a protected facility - OVD-Info),” continues Vransky. The activist once again noted that open hearings are held in public places, and they are open to everyone.

On the page of the public “Illegal trade in St. Petersburg” on VKontakte, are broadcast activists , who are waiting for the detainees at the police department. The activist of "Beautiful Petersburg" Alexander Vinogradov also broadcast , where the moment before his arrest was recorded.

UPD 22:50 Krasimir Vranski said that two detainees were released along with Alexander Vinogradov. And they were charged with petty hooliganism, they were not given copies of the protocols.

UPD 01:15 Alexander Vinogradov was released from the police department more than eight hours after his arrest. The moment of leaving the department was recorded in the broadcast of the public “Illegal trade in St. Petersburg”.

Two protocols were drawn up against the activist: under the article on illegal entry into a protected facility and under the article on disobedience to police officers (Article 19.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses). Under the first article, he was also fined 3,000 rubles. Vinogradov and his lawyer are going to challenge both protocols in court.