While out for a stroll in Moscow on Monday night, a 32-year-old man laid eyes upon a gold-plated statue in Sokolniki park, glimmering in the moonlight. He then grabbed the statue — it would be a gift for his girlfriend.
The man didn’t get very far, however, before police officers caught him redhanded. He explained that he saw the statue while walking through the park, and decided to take it as a gift for his girlfriend. The officers then decided to throw him in the back of a patrol car. He was later charged with theft and released on his own recognizance, until trial.
According to a preliminary assessment by local police, the statue is worth 3 million rubles (almost $50,000), the news agency Interfax reported.
In October 2015, unknown persons in Moscow stole a statue dedicated to the famed Soviet actor Evgeny Leonov, which stood outside the entrance of the Mosfilm film studio. Two days later, the statue was discovered at a metal processing plant. The monument had been sawed to pieces.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.
