Organizer of Illicit Street Races in Nizhny Novgorod Faces Penalty

April 29, 06:30 🕛 Artem Kovalenko

In the heart of Nizhny Novgorod, a man has been fined for organizing an unlawful, attention-grabbing event near the "Nizhny Novgorod" stadium. The latest scoop comes from "Kommersant."

The unnamed organizer was known for making a public spectacle, having publicized an illegal invitation on a restricted social network. On April 19, law enforcement officials stumbled upon a live broadcast video on the platform, showcasing a fire artist and a violinist performing to an enormous crowd entertained by loud music. The organizer amplified himself using sound equipment, addressing the massive gathering and acknowledging the vast number of attendees. Coincidentally, the same day, a Lower Volga Telegram channel broadcasted a video from the opening of the street racing season.

The offender was charged for orchestrating a gathering of citizens who disrupted public order and obstructed pedestrian and traffic flow. The court fined him 15,000 rubles.

Intense scrutiny and a robust legal framework encompass Russia's policies on unlawful mass gatherings. Despite city-specific variations, authorities in Nizhny Novgorod tend to follow these countrywide norms. Notable points include:

Public Event Laws: Protests necessitate prior authorization under Federal Law No. 54-FZ. Unauthorized gatherings carry administrative penalties, including fines up to 300,000 RUB or 15-day detention for attendees, and up to 1M RUB for organizers, as stated in the Administrative Code's Article 20.2. Persistent offenses can lead to harsher punishments, such as five-year prison terms, as per Criminal Code Article 212.1.
Anti-Extremism Provisions: Legislation prohibits the public display of symbols linked to "extremist" groups, a term increasingly broadened, as seen in dragnet policies against LGBTQ+ symbols[4].
Military Service Violations: Although not directly related, recent crackdowns on draftees in Moscow[1] display the utilization of specialized laws to limit dissent through detentions, offering a hint of potential tactics in Nizhny Novgorod.

The area's significant industrial role[5] in wartime production and proximity to recent drone attacks[2] might elevate security measures affecting public assembly rights. Nizhny Novgorod's indie civic groups contend with operational challenges under political restraints, as evident in heritage protection endeavors[5].

The unnamed organizer, who was known for making public spectacles, had organized an illegal gathering near the "Nizhny Novgorod" stadium in Nizhny Novgorod on April 19, as reported by "Kommersant."
Coincidentally, on the same day, the same man was fined 15,000 rubles by the court for orchestrating a gathering that disrupted public order and obstructed pedestrian and traffic flow, in violation of Russia's Public Event Laws.
The participants of the unlawful event, which included a fire artist and a violinist, were entertained by loud music and a speech by the organizer through sound equipment.
In Nizhny Novgorod, as in other cities across Russia, authorities follow a robust legal framework encompassing laws on unlawful mass gatherings, including public display of symbols linked to "extremist" groups and military service violations, which may have potential implications for future events.