"Why Crocus and not the Kremlin?": Russian artist detained in St. Petersburg for the "justification of terrorism"

A local artist, decorator, and former journalist, Nikolay Konashenok, was detained in St. Petersburg. A case under the article on "justifying terrorism on the Internet" was opened against him. The reason was the Russian's posts on his social media after the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert hall (Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region) on the evening of March 22. On his Facebook page, the man asked his users a very reasonable short question, "Why Crocus and not the Kremlin?"

Meanwhile, Russian propaganda media reported that Konashenok was detained for his words at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo airport on March 25 when he was about to fly to Armenia through Moscow. The article under which he is charged provides for up to seven years in prison.

However, the information about the criminal case has not been officially confirmed. In addition, sources say that Konashenok has already apologized for his words. The relevant video was allegedly filmed by Interior Ministry officials.

He stated, "My words were perceived by a wide audience as support for terrorism. I express my deepest apologies to everyone. I do not support terrorism, a terrible crime has been committed."

Meanwhile, Konashenok has closed his Facebook profile. However, screenshots of his posts are spreading online. One of them, as we have already noted, reads, "Why Crocus and not the Kremlin? Did you get it wrong?"

The other reads, "Picnic is a terrible but still a bit small band. I'd like to see a Brat-2 concert. Nothing like this happens at concerts of Western stars."

The propagandists also write that the artist's wife is the general director of the New Holland project, Roksana Shatunovskaya. Or rather, the former director. The woman allegedly resigned from her position, which she had held for over 13 years, after her husband's publications.

Meanwhile, Russian propagandists are trying to blame the attack at Crocus on the "Kyiv regime ," and the version of Ukraine's alleged involvement in the events has also been taken up by Russian officials and law enforcement agencies. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could not resist talking about the "Ukrainian trace" during his address almost a day after the shooting.

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