International Tourists Detained for Unruly Dancing Near FSB Headquarters in St. Petersburg

Authorities in St. Petersburg have detained a group of foreign tourists after they engaged in dancing and took pictures near the local office of Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), reported the news outlet Fontanka on Tuesday.

The group included two citizens from the United States, an Israeli individual, and a resident of St. Petersburg, according to the report.

Fontanka indicated that the tourists had just come from the Great Choral Synagogue when they chose to dance close to the FSB headquarters on Liteyny Prospekt. Police described the group as exhibiting “aggressive” behavior after they were approached for taking photographs of the building.

The four individuals were arrested, charged with public disturbance, and taken into temporary custody, as reported. It remains unclear if authorities will pursue formal charges against them.

There has been no official acknowledgment of the arrests.

The FSB office in St. Petersburg is situated near various popular tourist attractions, such as the Neva River embankment, the Summer Garden, and Saint Michael’s Castle.