The interior was just nothing. In 1991, after perestroika, nobody wanted it because they couldn't afford to renovate it. The city of St. Petersburg gave it to the SOC that year, rent-free. In 1995, city officials claimed that the school never completed promised repairs and sued for use of the building. Earlier in February, the City Arbitration Court ruled in favor of the city, saying that the lease agreement would be annulled and the SOC had to give up the building.
Reports say that the city wants to use the building as some sort of clinic.
The case has been in court until now, and a final decision is expected today, March 12. The teachers and students refused to leave, so the police roped off the building and stood outside. The next afternoon, the OMON went into the school. We feel like hostages here, but we won't leave. I heard the police say that as soon as we go outside, they'll shoot.