MOSCOW, November 7 - RAPSI. A criminal case has been opened against a St. Petersburg man who allegedly left a pig's head and a fake bomb near a mosque, the St. Petersburg Investigative Department has reported on Wednesday.

St. Petersburg resident Vladimir Smirnov, 24, has been detained.

"Smirnov is suspected of putting the pig's head by the gate, attaching a fake bomb to it, and leaving it by the mosque in coordination with a group of individuals," according to the department.

Smirnov has been arrested and charged with inciting hatred and animosity. He faces up to five years in prison. According to the department, Smirnov has been brought to criminal liability several times for violence, inciting hatred or animosity, and taking part in illegal arms sales.