Officials reported a violent incident that unfolded in central St. Petersburg, involving residents who are natives of a Central Asian country. The clash began over a dispute related to a woman and drew the attention of local police after it escalated in a busy downtown area. The events were confirmed by the press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for St. Petersburg and the Leningrad Region, outlining the basic sequence of events and the subsequent legal actions taken by authorities.
In the early hours of October 17, a large fight erupted on Dostoyevsky Street near the Kattakurgan cafe. Authorities received a call about a confrontation occurring near the cafe, prompting a rapid response from patrol officers who arrived to restore order and secure the scene. Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene with multiple participants involved in a physical confrontation that drew a crowd and created a tense atmosphere late at night.
Law enforcement detained twelve Uzbek citizens, aged between 23 and 42, for questioning. Among those detained was a 34-year-old woman who worked as a hairdresser and was connected in some accounts to the disturbance. Early police notes suggest that the events stemmed from personal tensions among several individuals. The resulting injuries included two people who sustained head trauma, concussions, and various bruises, leading to hospital assessment and treatment for those involved.
As part of the legal process, six administrative reports were prepared for immigration-related violations and eight for minor hooliganism. Criminal cases were opened following the investigative results, with four men identified as possible instigators of the brawl and facing charges related to hooliganism. The authorities emphasized that the incident would be thoroughly reviewed to determine any broader criminal liability and to ensure accountability for those involved.
Media outlets reported that the cafe at the center of the night’s disturbance has a history of complaints from nearby residents. According to Fontehka.ru and other regional outlets, the Uzbek cuisine establishment has reportedly drawn complaints from residents of the surrounding five-story building several times since the start of the year. Local authorities reportedly suspended operations at the cafe as part of the ongoing handling of the situation, pending further investigation and compliance checks. The wider community has been watching how the case develops, as such venues sometimes serve as focal points for social friction that can flare up quickly in urban settings.
The incident on Dostoyevsky Street is not entirely isolated in the region. Earlier in the year, another altercation involving groups associated with the Romani community occurred in Rostov-on-Don over a personal matter, illustrating how disputes in public spaces can escalate when tensions run high and bystanders become involved. Authorities stress the importance of lawful conduct in public places and the need for swift, calm responses from law enforcement to protect civilians and prevent further harm.
Communities and city officials have called for careful handling of such cases, aiming to balance public safety with the rights of individuals who may be implicated. Observers note that the presence of diverse populations in large cities means that conflicts can arise from a mixture of cultural misunderstandings, personal grievances, and the stressors that accompany life in a busy urban environment. The ongoing investigation will include reviews of processing procedures for those detained and assessments of any patterns that might indicate repeated issues connected to specific venues or demographic groups. Law enforcement reinforces that every action is measured against the law, and charges will be determined by the severity of the offense and the available evidence. (Source: Fontanka.ru)