A criminal case has been initiated by order of Alexander Bastrykin, Chairman of the Investigative Committee of Russia, following the beating of a taxi passenger in St. Petersburg. The incident occurred after a dispute over payment between the passenger and the taxi driver.

The conflict took place on the night of May 31 near house number 4 on Lyzhny Lane. The 57-year-old passenger reportedly suffered from impaired blood circulation in the brain as a result of the altercation.

The dispute arose over the fare, with the driver allegedly resorting to physical violence by striking the passenger in the head.

The driver, a 21-year-old migrant from Kyrgyzstan, was apprehended the following day in Zelenogorsk. Authorities have confirmed that he is legally residing and working in St. Petersburg with all the required documentation.

The Investigative Committee stated that the incident involved a migrant taxi driver assaulting a passenger for refusing to pay extra for traffic congestion. The investigative authorities are currently conducting an investigation into the matter under the Article of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation “Battery.”

Oleg Bobkov, Acting Head of the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for St. Petersburg, has been directed to initiate the criminal case and provide a comprehensive report.