Protesting Artist Sets Fire to Entrance of Russian Federal Security Service Building

Petr Pavlensky, a Russian protest artist, was arrested after setting fire to the entrance of the Federal Security Service (FSB) building. He claims this act was a protest against the FSB's efforts to create an atmosphere of intimidation in the country. In a video titled "Burning at Lubyanka," Pavlensky can be seen standing still in front of the flames erupting from the entrance of the Lubyanka building in central Moscow, holding a fuel canister. Thirty seconds after the video starts, a police officer rushes at him and arrests him without resistance. This artist has previously engaged in similar high-profile acts, including nailing his scrotum to the pavement next to the Kremlin, cutting off part of his ear on the walls of a psychiatric hospital, sewing his lips shut in support of punk protesters, and recreating scenes from the Ukrainian protests in the streets of St. Petersburg. The Moscow police told Interfax that a case has been opened against him for hooliganism and vandalism. The specific crime related to the burning at the entrance of the security service could lead to a three-year prison sentence. Pavlensky wrote about his symbolic protest: "The FSB uses methods of intimidation to govern the 146 million population of the country. Fear turns free people into a mass of isolated bodies. Threats in the form of controlling conversations and eavesdropping on people's communications or controlling their movements cast a shadow over everyone's life." A journalist from an independent television network, who was also invited to witness the artist's protest, reported that Pavlensky directly approached the main door of the building, poured gasoline on it, and ignited it with a lighter. All journalists present at the scene were also arrested by the police. They were reportedly released after questioning and are now registered as witnesses in this "case." Pavlensky explained his action, which was published online with the video, stating: "Military courts eliminate any form of freedom of expression. Terrorism can only continue by relying on the animalistic sense of fear. But a reaction causes individuals to act against the instinct of fear. This reaction is, in fact, a struggle for the defense of existence and life, and it is worth fighting for." This artist is also on trial for his previous performance in solidarity with the protests in Ukraine, which took place last year in St. Petersburg. However, he has vowed to maintain his silence throughout the trial and even refused to stand before the judge.