Leaders of a Crimean Tatar ensemble were detained in St. Petersburg over a national flag

In St. Petersburg, police detained three leaders of the Crimean Tatar children’s dance ensemble “Nefes” from occupied Crimea after a photo was taken with the Crimean Tatar flag.

This was reported by the Russian media outlets “Fontanka,” “Rotonda,” and “Channel 78.”

The incident occurred on May 17 during a tour of the Peter and Paul Fortress, where the ensemble from Simferopol had arrived ahead of a scheduled performance in St. Petersburg. After a group photo of the children and leaders holding the flags of the Russian Federation, occupied Crimea, and the Crimean Tatar flag, police officers approached the group.

According to an acquaintance of one of the ensemble’s leaders, law enforcement officers claimed that the Crimean Tatar flag is allegedly banned due to the similarity of its symbolism to the Ukrainian trident.

Three adults, including choreographer Sevile Khalilova, were taken to a police station and held there overnight. According to media reports, they are accused of organizing an unauthorized rally.

Due to the detentions, all of the ensemble’s scheduled performances in St. Petersburg were canceled.

On May 18, Ukraine observes the Day of Remembrance for the Victims of the Genocide of the Crimean Tatar People—marking the anniversary of the start of the deportation of Crimean Tatars in 1944.

The Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) reported that it had allegedly foiled an assassination attempt on the leadership of Roskomnadzor, which, according to their version, was being prepared with the involvement of Ukrainian special services.

The FSB also detained several young men in connection with a protest involving bloody hammers near the homes of officials.