Hyundai Solaris Driver Faces Dual Criminal Charges in St. Petersburg Incident

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A second criminal case has been opened against the Hyundai Solaris driver involved in a road incident in St. Petersburg, who reportedly described another motorist as a fascist and then attempted to flee from traffic police. The investigation is being conducted under the combined proceedings of two offenses, with charges connected to humiliating religious feelings and to the use of force against state officials. The disclosures come from the St. Petersburg Investigative Committee, via the website of the Main Investigation Department, outlining the evolving case as it moves through the Russian legal system.

According to the materials from investigators, the event occurred on March 28, 2023, on a highway near building number 39 along Komendantsky Prospekt. During a heated exchange between drivers, one participant allegedly expressed a highly negative stance toward a religious group, effectively issuing a hostile remark aimed at believers as a whole. The record indicates that this statement was made amid a broader clash on the road, contributing to the ongoing inquiry into possible religious intolerance and public offense tied to the incident. The case file emphasizes the seriousness with which authorities treat acts that target religious sentiments and provoke social discord.

On the same day, traffic police attempted to stop the Hyundai Solaris, but the driver reportedly resisted law enforcement authorities using physical techniques associated with self-defense training. This sequence led to a criminal investigation under the clause addressing violence against state officials, reflecting the authorities’ concern about the safety of police officers during routine enforcement actions. In parallel, a second line of inquiry has been opened under Part 1 of Article 148 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which concerns public acts that demonstrate explicit contempt for society and are intended to offend religious feelings. Both investigations are being consolidated into a single proceeding to ensure a coherent legal process and consistent judicial oversight. Evidence collected so far, including video footage from the vehicle’s DVR, is being reviewed to establish a precise sequence of events and to determine the exact scope of each flagged offense.

The suspect named in the case, Intigam Aliyev, remains at large as authorities continue the search. Reports from the Telegram channel Mash in Moika have provided ongoing updates about the status of the investigation, underscoring the public interest in a case that intersects road safety, religious sensitivity, and the lawful handling of confrontations with law enforcement. The case file notes that the road conflict, which predates the final legal actions, has been captured by the vehicle’s camera system and serves as a crucial piece of evidence in reconstructing the precise actions of all parties involved. The broader implications of the incident highlight how road disputes can escalate into legal matters touching upon public sentiment, religious respect, and the duties of state officials. [Source: St. Petersburg Investigative Committee]

As the investigation progresses, the authorities emphasize a careful, methodical approach to establishing facts, verifying witness statements, and ensuring due process in accordance with Russian law. The ongoing inquiry seeks to determine whether the rhetoric used during the exchange constituted an unlawful expression of hostility toward a religious group, and to what extent the subsequent actions toward law enforcement and public order contributed to the overall charges. In the meantime, the public and media observers await further updates on the case, which continues to illustrate the intertwining of road safety, civil conduct, and respect for religious beliefs within the framework of the Russian judicial system. [Source: Main Investigation Department]

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