This article was originally published by Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and is reprinted with permission.
A prominent St. Petersburg developer has been detained by police in connection with two Facebook posts related to the Moscow concert hall terrorist attack that killed at least 139 people.
Nikolai Konashenok was stopped at Pulkovo airport as he prepared to fly to Yerevan on March 25.
Shortly before his detention, Konashenok’s wife, a well-known art manager, announced she was resigning as general director of the New Holland cultural development that her husband also managed, citing “monstrous statements incompatible with humanity” written by a “family member.”
Shortly after the March 22 attack, Konashenok suggested the attackers should have instead targeted the Kremlin, and he downplayed the severity of the incident.
Police say they’re investigating possible extremism.
