A criminal case is pending against Grigor Verner, a 43-year-old soloist from the Mariinsky Theater, after a series of incidents involving weapons, fake FSB identification, and an assault on a film crew. Verner is currently in a mental hospital after being detained by St. Petersburg police.

Irina Volk, an official representative of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs, announced the arrest on June 15, stating that an investigation is underway and a procedural decision will be made based on the results.

Prior to his arrest, Verner’s behavior raised concerns throughout the city. On Friday, he was seen at a car wash in Olgino displaying a firearm in a holster and a knife on his belt. He reportedly showed special agent IDs to an employee, identified himself as “Artist,” and engaged in bothersome behavior before leaving.

Later that day, Verner approached a 23-year-old captain of a pleasure boat on the Fontanka embankment. He allegedly showed the captain FSB identification, threatened him with physical violence and a pistol, and forced him to transport him to the Mariinsky Theater by water. He paid the captain 300 rubles before leaving.

That evening, Verner went to the “Na Liteinom” theater to see a former lover, but was stopped by security. He brandished a pistol and attempted to bypass security to reach the actress, ultimately hitting a theater employee before leaving empty-handed.

In another incident, Verner reportedly demanded a taxi driver’s silence while making sounds in the car, again displaying a pistol as a threat.

The situation escalated on June 14 when journalists from the 78 channel approached Verner in Olgino. After initially speaking with them, he allegedly attacked the film crew, damaging their car and causing an estimated 100,000 rubles in damages.

Verner was eventually detained in Olgino by the 78th department on the evening of June 14. Authorities determined that he did not have any registered weapons. Due to his erratic behavior at the police station, he was subsequently hospitalized in psychiatric hospital No. 6.