Unexpected Situations

What should I do if I am detained and/or arrested?

Stay calm, don't panic, don't try to run away, and don't resist the law enforcement officers.
The officer must clearly state their position, rank, and last name. If requested, the officer is obligated to provide an ID. You have the right to be informed of the reason and purpose of your detention.
Be aware that the officers may search your person, belongings, documents, and vehicle. Such searches are conducted by authorised officers, in the presence of two witnesses or with video recording.
Next, a report detailing the search is prepared. If requested, law enforcement officers must provide you with a copy of this report.
If your belongings or documents are seized, this process should be documented through photos or videos. The report on the seizure of items is signed by the officer who drafted it, yourself, and any witnesses involved in the seizure process. In any case, you are entitled to receive a copy of the report.
Within the first three hours following your detention, you are entitled to make one phone call in the presence of a law enforcement officer to notify a relative or colleague about your detention. Upon your request, a law enforcement officer can make this call on your behalf.
A detention report must be prepared within three hours of your detention. Sign it only if you agree with its contents. If you disagree with its contents or if you are unable to sign the report, a relevant note will be made in it. In any case, you are entitled to receive a copy of the report.
You cannot be detained for more than 48 hours without a court decision.
Law enforcement agencies have the authority to request your personal information from HSE University in connection with administrative or criminal offenses, along with certificates, documents, etc. HSE University staff are obligated to provide all requested information.
If you wish to lodge a complaint regarding the actions of police officers, you can file it with the following authorities:
- Police department and its top management
- Territorial department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs responsible for a given region or area
- Internal Affairs Department
- Prosecutor's Office
- Court

What should I do if I was robbed?

Report it to the police by filing a statement. If you are submitting a written statement, make sure to sign it. If you are providing a verbal statement, it will be recorded in a report, which you and the receiving officer will sign.

Upon filing your statement, you will receive a receipt containing details such as the name of the officer who accepted it, the registration number, and the date of registration.
Within 3 days (or in exceptional cases, within 10 days), you will be informed of the decision made regarding your statement. The police may decide to open a criminal case, decline to open a criminal case, or transfer your case to another unit based on jurisdiction or territoriality.
You can find the address and phone number of the nearest police station in Moscow on this website.

What should I do if I was intentionally injured?

Seek assistance from the police and visit a medical facility for treatment. Obtain a document from the medical facility detailing the extent of your injuries – this is required to determine the appropriate punishment for the perpetrator.
The medical facility that issues the document detailing your injuries will notify the police. The police will conduct an investigation and decide on the necessary actions.
If the police decide to open a criminal private or private-public case, you will be required to file a statement.
The police are obligated to explain the subsequent steps to you and provide you with a copy of the decision to initiate criminal proceedings.

What should I do if I left or lost my things on public transport?

If you lost your belongings on land urban transport:

Firstly, determine which carrier operates the route where you misplaced your belongings.
If your items were lost on Mosgortrans routes, contact the Lost and Found Warehouse by phone at +7 495 539-54-54 or 3210 (use this number if you call from a mobile phone). The operator will provide guidance on the next steps – either contacting the fleet dispatcher responsible for the route or reaching out to the police.
If your belongings were lost on routes operated by commercial carriers, please visit this website for more information.

If you lost your belongings on the subway, Moscow Central Circle (MCC), or Moscow Central Diameters (MCD):

If your belongings were misplaced on the subway, MCC, or MCD, contact the Lost and Found Warehouse. They handle all items found on trains and at stations, except for documents, which are handed over to the police.

What should I do if I lost my bank card (or it was stolen from me)?

You need to urgently block the card to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. There are several ways to do this:

By calling the hotline. The emergency number is listed on the bank's official website and can often be found on the back of your bank card. The hotline operator will request your passport details, a code word, or an SMS code sent to your phone to proceed with blocking the card.

Tip: We recommend saving the bank's hotline number in your mobile phone in advance to avoid having to look it up in case of emergency.

Through online banking. If you have online banking enabled and have access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone with Internet connection, you can block the card by using the "Block the card" («Заблокировать карту») option in your personal account on the bank's website. Most banks have this option. You will need to confirm your decision by typing in an SMS code sent by the bank to your phone number.
Via SMS. Some banks use an SMS command system. You need to send a code word to the bank's short number (e.g., «блокировка»). Upon receiving a code in response, you must send it back to the bank's number to confirm the action. It's advisable to confirm in advance whether your bank offers this option and which code words should be used.
At the bank branch. If you are in proximity to the bank branch or have lost your phone along with your card, you can submit a request to block the card at the branch. However, you will need to present your passport.

Tip: Even when your card is blocked, you can still access the funds in the account linked to it. You can withdraw cash at a bank branch by presenting your passport.

Immediately after blocking the card, you can submit an application for a new one.

What should I do if I was fined?

First, make sure to promptly notify the International Faculty Support Centre about your situation.
To learn more about administrative fines and subsequent actions, please visit the Administrative Offences section.

What should I do if a household emergency has occurred (water leak, no electricity, etc)?

If you are in the HSE Guesthouse, inform the reception desk.
If you are in a rented apartment,

inform the flat owner;
if you have signed a package agreement with a real-estate agency, contact the agency when an incident has occurred. They usually have a 24/7 support and can send help throughout the day.