The Moscow Basmanny Court, which issued the restraint measure against Darya Trepova in connection with the cafe blast in St. Petersburg, has not yet filed a formal complaint with the court about the arrest of Trepova’s lawyers. Nevertheless, the defense team may pursue an appeal by mail, according to TASS reports. This possibility keeps Trepova’s legal process moving through alternative channels even as the initial order remains in force.
According to information released by the capital court, the window for lodging a complaint against the arrest has closed. The same briefing note indicated that a court file entry confirms the decision on the selection of restraint measures against the accused has entered into legal effect. In practical terms, this means the court has determined the conditions under which Trepova must remain detained, and those conditions are currently active unless an official appeal succeeds or a higher authority intervenes.
Officials from the Basmanny Court clarified that while a direct appeal to challenge the arrest is not yet on file, any party can submit a complaint by mail. Should a complaint be filed, the awaiting period would shift to the appeal body of the Moscow City Court, which would schedule a hearing date to review the case. At present, no such complaint has been presented to the court, and the existing detention order remains operative while the appeal route remains a potential option.
Historically, on April 4, the court ordered Trepova to stay in detention through June 2, 2023. Her defense team had urged the court to consider a non-custodial measure, arguing for conditions that would allow Trepova more freedom while the investigation proceeded. The tension between detention and alternatives reflects the broader balancing act courts undertake when weighing public safety concerns against the rights of the defendant, especially in high-profile cases that attract significant public attention and media scrutiny.
The events surrounding the case unfolded on April 2, when an explosion occurred at a cafe on Universitetskaya Embankment in St. Petersburg. The incident resulted in the death of the well-known military figure Vladlen Tatarsky, whose real name is Maxim Fomin. In addition to the casualty, forty-two individuals sustained injuries of varying severity. Trepova was detained in the aftermath of the blast, and investigators subsequently charged her with involvement in a criminal act that led to a fatal outcome. The charges included claims of organizing or participating in a terrorist act that caused a death, along with alleged possession of illegal explosives in connection with an organized group. The case has drawn intense public interest due to the severity of the alleged offense and the profile of Tatarsky, whose presence in the city’s civic and cultural life was widely recognized. The investigation continues to unfold under an official process that will determine Trepova’s formal legal responsibilities and any potential sanction outcomes. The courtroom maneuvers, including the handling of arrest complaints, will be viewed as part of the ongoing legal procedure designed to ensure due process while addressing national concerns about security and public order.