In Krasnodar, 10 persons detained at protesting against exhibition "Icons"

Police detained 10 persons for taking part in an unsanctioned protest action against holding in Krasnodar the exhibitions "Icons", brought by gallerist Marat Gelman.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that today, more than 100 Krasnodar residents opposed opening of the exhibition "Icons", devoted to religious subjects and supervised by Marat Gelman, the well-known gallerist and the politic technologist. The protesters were dispersed only after a report that explosive device was planted in the Exhibition Hall.

"10 persons were detained for public order disturbance. The protocols under Article 20.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (participation in an unsanctioned event) were completed against them," reported Ilya Shakalov, Spokesman of the press service of the Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) in Krasnodar. He has emphasized that the police managed to prevent serious violations.

Meanwhile, the exhibition has not yet been opened. Law enforcement officers checked the message about mining of the building, where the exhibition was to be held. Ilya Shakalov has reported that the message about the explosive device was not confirmed.

According to the police, about 150 persons gathered near the Exhibition Hall, at the same time, about 50 persons wanted to see the exhibition, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

This afternoon, Marat Gelman held a presentation of the exhibition for journalists and art historians. The exhibition presents about 40 works of 14 artists. "There are no icons in the liturgical sense, these are good paintings on religious topics, and they cannot offend a believer," the ITAR-TASS quotes Marat Gelman as saying.

Let us remind you that on May 12, in Krasnodar, a gathering of citizens and a meeting of Krasnodar residents with deputies of the regional Legislative Assembly were held. The events were organized to protest against opening in Krasnodar of the exhibition "Icons" of well-known gallerist Marat Gelman, which was appointed for May 15.

On May 8, Kirill (Pokrovsky), Bishop of Stavropol and Nevinomyssk, addressed the head of the Krasnodar Territory with an open letter and urged him to ban "criminal activity in the region entrusted to you". On May 11, Governor Alexander Tkachov stated on the official website of the administration of the Krasnodar Territory that the exhibition would not contain anything that could offend feelings of believers.