Russian authorities have detained a 38-year-old man named Artem, the head of security for the Solar Systo Togathering electronic music festival held near St Petersburg, on suspicion of killing a participant at the event, according to a report published on September 9, 2026, by Russian crime-focused Telegram news outlet Baza.
Baza, which regularly reports on crime and law enforcement developments across Russia, said Artem had worked as a security guard at the festival for several years and was a familiar figure among the event's regular attendees. Baza's report did not identify the festival participant who was killed, or specify when the attack took place.
Nazi Tattoos and Past Complaints
According to the outlet, Artem has Nazi tattoos. The display of Nazi symbols and tattoos is illegal in Russia under laws banning Nazi propaganda. Festival-goers had previously complained about him, reporting that valuables and phones had gone missing from their tents while he was on duty. He was also suspected of carrying out acts of violence, Baza reported.
Earlier Incidents at the Festival
Baza said this was not the first time violence had marred the event, though the report did not specify how many years this had occurred over. In previous years, a man from the city of Voronezh, in southwestern Russia, was found in a tent at the festival with knife wounds. Another guest was later found dead near the concert venue, also with stab wounds, the outlet reported.
Solar Systo Togathering is an electronic music festival held near St Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, founded in 1703 by Peter the Great and now one of the country's leading cultural centers. Like many outdoor electronic music events, it runs over several days, with attendees camping on site in tents for the duration.
Separate Case: Vendor Killed Defending Stall
In a separate report, Baza said three men are suspected of killing a 53-year-old man identified as Tahir. The outlet said the men tried at night to rob a pavilion selling clothing and handmade goods that Tahir and his wife were watching over. The outlet did not specify the exact location of the incident.
Tahir spotted the men and confronted them with an axe in an attempt to drive them away, Baza reported. The men then turned the axe on him and killed him with it.
