Novaya Gazeta cites a source from the Center for Countering Extremism (Centre E) of the St. Petersburg General Administration of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The arrests came as part of an operation called Azamati, according to the source. Migrants were arrested both on the streets of St. Petersburg and in the apartments and dormitories where they live. During the operation the police cordoned off entire areas. Novaya Gazeta confirms that police also arrested a group of 30 people who were trying to escape the siege disguised as Näärivana and Snegurochka.
According to the St. Petersburg publication Fontanka, the police arrested about 3,000 people. Novaya Gazeta writes that many others were arrested: women and children along with men. The arrested men were taken to police stations, while women and children were taken to a special reception center in Krasnoye Selo.
On the morning of January 1, according to Novaya Gazeta, many of those arrested were approached by representatives of military commissariats who offered to register as “volunteers” in the army. People were threatened that their families would be deported from Russia. Those who did not have Russian citizenship were offered to obtain it in an accelerated manner, Novaya Gazeta wrote. According to the publication, at least 1,500 men agreed to sign a contract with the Russian Ministry of Defense.
The press service of the St. Petersburg courts reported that on January 1, the district courts examined 31 administrative protocols for violations of immigration legislation. The courts decided to fine and expel 27 people from Russia, two others were only fined and two were released. On January 2, the courts examined the documents of 13 people. All were fined and sentenced to deportation, Fontanka said, referring to the press service.
2024-01-03 08:58:44
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