A criminal case of vandalism has been launched in St Petersburg over street graffiti reading “Peace to the world.”

Officers from Centre “E” have detained a 42-year-old Moscow resident named Andrey, who is suspected of painting the slogan “Peace to the world” in public spaces in St Petersburg. This was reported by the news agency Konkretno.ru.

Police have opened a criminal case on charges of vandalism (Article 214 of the Criminal Code).

On 7 June, law enforcement detained the man in Moscow and transported him to Police Department No. 78 in St Petersburg. Three phones, a bank card, and some clothing were seized from him. He was subsequently released under a travel ban undertaking.

The slogans “Peace to the world” appeared on bridges and embankments in St Petersburg on 4 June. According to Paper, there were at least eight such graffiti throughout the city. Konkretno.ru reports two cases, noting that one, on Arsenalnaya Embankment, covered an area of 15 square metres. The city’s municipal services sustained damages amounting to almost 23,000 rubles (approx. US$260).

The story has been updated to clarify that the man was detained in Moscow, not St Petersburg