Alina Esmanskaya has commented for RBC on the possible increase in the number of fines for violating the Silence Act

The authority to draw up administrative reports for breaches of the Silence Act in St Petersburg has been transferred to the Main Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia in the city and Leningrad Region. According to the Smolny’s (the city administration) press service, a relevant agreement between the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the St Petersburg Government has been approved by the Russian government. This Act  refers to a fine for violating the peace and quiet of citizens at night, on weekends and public holidays. Previously, protocols under this Act were drawn up by officers of the city’s Committee on Law, Order and Security.

Alina Esmanskaya, Associate of Private Wealth Practice at Maxima Legal, said that the number of fines under this Act with the delegation of powers can increase in St Petersburg. “The internal affairs authority  tend to have more organisational capacity, which means they can process more applications,” the expert explained to RBC.

Alina noted that before the delegation, police officers who had recorded an offence, handed over documents to officers of the city’s Committee on Law, Order and Security, who drew up protocols on administrative offences. “However, after the delegation of powers, the police officers will have the right to draw up a protocol on an administrative offence themselves, which will significantly reduce the time between the offence and bringing the offender to justice,” said the Associate.

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