St. Petersburg courts arrest 49, fine 45 participants in unpermitted demonstration on Feb 28

ST. PETERSBURG. March 1 (Interfax) - District courts in St. Petersburg have held nearly a hundred local residents administratively liable for taking part in an unpermitted demonstration on February 28, the joint press service for the city courts said on Tuesday.

As of 10:30 p.m. March 1 Moscow Time, courts received 140 filings and handed down rulings on 99 of them. The courts have ordered administrative arrests of 49 demonstrators, fined 45, and ordered 50 hours of community work for one protester.

Unpermitted protests have been held in St. Petersburg every day since February 24. At least 700 of their participants have been arrested or fined by courts.