A woman was detained in the Khoroshevo-Mnevniki district of Moscow for protesting the construction of a paid parking lot. The incident occurred on Mnevniki Street, near house number 9, where free parking is currently available.

The protest stems from residents’ concerns that the introduction of paid parking will negatively impact the area, particularly since the current parking lot serves a school and a clinic. Local residents claim that the paid parking will simply move the parking problem into residential yards.

According to eyewitnesses, the detained woman, identified as Svetlana, was apprehended along with her husband after confronting construction workers on October 31. Activists say police were called by workers and a private security company when residents refused to leave the area and demanded to see documentation for the parking lot construction.

Activists say the police officer was pushing her, shoving her out of the work area. They snatched her bag and pushed her into the car. An administrative protocol was drawn up against Svetlana for disobeying the police, and she may face up to 15 days of arrest at a later trial.

Residents have been actively opposing the construction for two weeks. They believe that paid parking will exacerbate traffic congestion and pedestrian issues by forcing people to park in nearby residential areas.

The duty press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Moscow stated that they had not received information about the detention of the activist and requested a written request.