Authorities in St. Petersburg have released street performers Diana Loginova and Alexander Orlov after a month in detention, according to a report from local media outlet Fontanka on Sunday, which cited two sources.
The duo was apprehended by St. Petersburg police on three occasions, starting from October 15. Their arrests were initiated after their band Stoptime gained popularity for playing songs by anti-war artists during street performances.
One source from Fontanka stated that law enforcement relocated the musicians from the detention facility to another location to prevent journalists waiting outside from asking them questions. Loginova’s attorney, Maria Zyryanova, confirmed that they were unharmed and requested privacy.
As reported by Ekho Moskvy, citing an anonymous source, Loginova has fled Russia and is currently in a secure, undisclosed location.
With the release of Loginova and Orlov, there are now no members of Stoptime in custody.
Late last month, a court imposed a fine of 30,000 rubles (approximately $375) on Loginova for discrediting the Russian military due to her performance of an anti-war song by another exiled artist. A judge subsequently returned a second charge related to the same offense to the police, citing insufficient details.
Loginova has denied any wrongdoing.