We demand a criminal investigation into threats to shoot peaceful protesters

2 135 appeals sent

Residents of Saratov are defending the public park known as “Territory of Childhood” from commercial development. Local authorities plan to construct a school named after the Heroes of the Special Military Operation on the site. Activists argue that this park is the only green public space available to residents of several surrounding neighborhoods and insist that the school should be built elsewhere.

On August 13, 2025, during a conversation with peaceful protesters, Lieutenant Colonel of Police Gennady Boltyshev, Head of the Public Order Protection Unit of the Saratov Police Department, stated: “If necessary, I will shoot all of you. If there are grounds for it.”

The police forces do not have legal grounds to use firearms against peaceful civilians. The law establishes a strictly limited list of circumstances under which firearms may be used, and none of those conditions apply to this situation. Such statements constitute not merely a violation of professional ethics and official duties, but may also indicate a criminal offense involving threats of violence by a state official.

Together, we submitted 2,135 appeals via Dyatel to the Investigative Committee’s reception office, demanding that an inspection be conducted and a criminal case be opened against Gennady Boltyshev.

An official response was subsequently received. The Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed that the police officer did make an inappropriate statement and that he was subjected to disciplinary punishment. However, authorities refused to initiate a criminal investigation, concluding that there were allegedly no elements of a crime in his actions.

While this outcome falls short of full accountability, the case demonstrates the importance of public engagement. Due to sustained public pressure and collective action, the violation was formally documented and the officer faced consequences. Without public scrutiny and thousands of appeals, even this limited response would not have occurred.

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