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Police say the activity was interpreted as disruptive and inappropriate, especially given the high-security nature of the location.
By Shula Rosen
Four ultra-Orthodox Jewish men were taken into custody in St. Petersburg, Russia, after they were seen dancing and taking photos near the headquarters of the Federal Security Service (FSB), the agency that replaced the Soviet-era KGB.
The group included one Israeli citizen, two Americans, and one Russian national, all between the ages of 19 and 29.
According to Russian news outlet TASS, the men had recently visited the Grand Choral Synagogue, one of the city’s oldest and most prominent Jewish houses of worship, before stopping outside the FSB building on Liteyny Avenue.
There, they reportedly began dancing and snapping pictures, which authorities labeled as “hooliganism.”
Police say the activity was interpreted as disruptive and inappropriate, especially given the high-security nature of the location.
The FSB is Russia’s main internal security and intelligence agency, with sweeping authority over domestic surveillance, counterterrorism, and organized crime investigations.
While the local Jewish community in St. Petersburg initially reported that the men were released following advocacy efforts, Russian authorities later clarified that the four remain in police custody.
The status of any formal charges remains unclear.
A spokesperson for the community said that the group “did not intend to cause any disturbance and were likely unaware of the sensitivity of their location.”
Community leaders have been in contact with authorities to seek clarity on the incident and work toward the release of those detained.
No official statements have been made by the Israeli or US embassies in Moscow regarding the arrest of their respective citizens.
It is not yet known whether any diplomatic channels are being pursued for their release.
The incident comes as tensions remain high around foreign visitors and behavior perceived as provocative near sensitive government sites.
In Russia, laws governing public conduct, especially near strategic buildings, are strictly enforced, and violations are often treated as criminal offenses.
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