Percussionist of Mikhailovsky Theatre injured in restaurant fight

Alexander Smirnov, the concertmaster of the percussion group of the symphony orchestra at the Mikhailovsky Theatre, was at the center of an incident at the Cristal restaurant on Sinopskaya Embankment. On 28 January, he detailed what happened.

The musician came to the establishment with a business partner to discuss work matters. The table they chose was occupied, and the staff suggested sitting at another one, even though there were free spots.

«The hostess was somewhat displeased. I requested a specific table, but they didn»t seat us there. They said «sit here, there are no other places,» even though there were. We ate, and I asked the hostess to apologize for her behavior,« Smirnov said.

After no apologies were made, security approached the conflict site. The verbal altercation quickly escalated into physical violence. «I didn»t get any apologies. The local security came, a verbal altercation started. [Then] they knocked me to the floor, piled on top of me, hit me in the kidneys, twisted my arms. I almost suffocated there, as one of them [a guard] was hanging on me. After that, they even called the Rosgvardiya [National Guard],« the percussionist reported.

Despite the incident, Smirnov paid the dinner bill. Subsequently, he was taken to the police department, where his documents were checked and he was released.

The musician intends on 29 January to document his injuries and file reports with the police and prosecutor«s office. He also plans to file a lawsuit against the Cristal restaurant.

According to the petty hooliganism protocol drawn up on Smirnov, he allegedly used coarse obscene language, harassed citizens, thereby showing disrespect to society and disturbing public order.

Earlier, information was received that Alexander Smirnov refused to close the bill at the restaurant, broke dishes, and got into a fight with a security guard, after which Rosgvardiya employees were called.