Foto: BB.LV / Задержанные в Москве
On Saturday evening, November 7, police conducted a raid in the area of the 'Kitai-Gorod' metro station in Moscow. According to Baza, law enforcement detained over 200 people, many of whom were minors. The Telegram channel 'Caution, Moscow' reported that approximately 300 individuals were taken to police stations. Some detainees told 'Caution, News' about threats and the use of force by police officers. One source from the publication reported that those over 18 years old in the police van were persistently offered to sign a military service contract. Another detainee stated that at the 'Tagansky' police department, where they were taken, they were issued summonses to the military enlistment office. According to him, even female students with deferments from military service received the relevant documents. ## ## What charges were brought against the detainees According to Baza, the detainees, including minors, were primarily taken to the 'Basmanny' and 'Tagansky' police departments. Teenagers were released home if their parents came to pick them up. At least 17 of those detained received administrative protocols for drinking alcohol in public places. Documents were also drawn up for appearing in public places while intoxicated and disobeying police orders. The Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in Moscow stated that "preventive measures" were being conducted in the central part of the city. The agency claimed that these measures were aimed at "maintaining public order and preventing administrative violations," including those related to alcohol consumption in public places. ## ## Detainees began to be released late in the evening Late on November 7, police stations began to release the individuals who had been brought there. Parents came to pick up the minors. However, by the time 'Caution, News' published its report, there was no precise information on whether all detainees had been released. Several individuals told RBC that they were detained while simply walking down the street. The mother of one of the teenagers reported to the publication that her son was beaten after attempting to resist. "They detained my son. From him, I know that they were walking in the center. Out of nowhere, a car pulled up. My child began to offer slight resistance. He was hit twice in the stomach. They were put into some car, then transferred to another car and started to be taken to different departments. They didn’t let them see anyone, saying: wait," the woman recounted. ## ## The situation in the 'Kitai-Gorod' area The area around the 'Kitai-Gorod' metro station is home to numerous bars and nightclubs. The station itself and the nearby park are popular among youth and teenagers who come there for informal gatherings. Detentions in this area have reportedly been occurring since the summer. Many of those who ended up in police stations reported beatings by OMON officers and the use of stun guns. There were also reports of the closure of 'Shayba' - a courtyard venue on Pokrovka where representatives of informal youth usually gathered. The area was surrounded by a wooden fence, Baza reported.
