Mass arrests occurred along Voskresenskaya Embankment in St. Petersburg, reported by Boris Vishnevsky, Deputy of the St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly. The events unfolded in the evening as police began detaining people who gathered near the monument dedicated to victims of political repression to honor Alexei Navalny. Among those taken into custody were Elina Kozich, a RusNews reporter, and Alexey Dushutin, a photographer for Novaya Gazeta who documented the action. They were forced into a police vehicle and transported to the 28th police station, but were released after a period of detention.
According to the source known as the Rotunda, the total number of detentions approached twenty individuals. Some arrests for what authorities described as noncompliance with lawful orders were recorded on video, capturing the rough treatment that occurred in several instances.
On the day in question, at least eleven participants laid flowers in tribute to the dissident in a moment of commemoration. Those detained were present at events honoring journalist Irina Slavina in Nizhny Novgorod and faced charges related to violations of rally procedures and filming of strategic sites, according to local authorities.
Earlier in the year, on February 16, at the IK-3 Polar Wolf penal facility in the village of Kharp, Navalny reportedly fell ill after returning from a walk and lost consciousness. The Federal Penitentiary Service stated that medical staff from the institution provided care and attempted resuscitation, but those efforts were unsuccessful.
Navalny has been in detention since 2021. In October 2022, authorities charged him with creating and leading an extremist organization, participating in it, and financing extremist activities. On August 4, 2023, a Moscow City Court sentence placed him in a special regime penal colony for up to 19 years. In December, reports indicated a transfer to a correctional colony in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug. The cases and related charges have included warnings about participation in uncoordinated actions and other alleged offenses.
These developments form part of a broader pattern of restrictions surrounding dissent and political activism in Russia, with observers noting the persistence of charges and detentions tied to public demonstrations and memorial acts. In parallel, the international community has monitored the situation for consistency with international human rights norms, while independent journalists and rights groups continue to document the treatment of detainees and the legality of police actions. Several observers point to the need for transparent procedures, timely medical care for detainees, and assurances that every participant’s rights are safeguarded during periods of arrest and incarceration. [citation: human rights organizations; ongoing reporting and court records]
The events on Voskresenskaya Embankment and related incidents underscore ongoing concerns about freedom of assembly, press freedom, and the standing of political opposition figures in Russia. Analysts note that any credible assessment must consider the legal frameworks cited by authorities, the procedural standards applied during detentions, and the firsthand testimonies of those involved or who witnessed the actions. [citation: independent press coverage; official statements]