He said Putin helped resolve the university’s problems
Photo: «Fontanka»
Alexander Zapesotsky has again taken up the post of rector of St. Petersburg University of Humanities and Social Sciences (SPbGUP), «Fontanka» reports.
Details. This happened after the Arbitration Court of St. Petersburg lifted interim measures in the lawsuit over the nationalization of the university’s buildings.
As «Bumaga» writes, the court noted that SPbGUP’s real estate had already been registered as state property, so the need for restrictions had disappeared. The court ruling also mentions Vladimir Putin’s decree on preserving the university and a meeting at the Ministry of Science and Higher Education held in April. Following that meeting, it was decided to transfer the buildings for use by the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia and the university itself.
In a conversation with «Fontanka», Zapesotsky said that Vladimir Putin helped settle the university’s problems. At the same time, he did not rule out that in the future he could move to the position of adviser to the Federation of Independent Trade Unions of Russia.
Context. Alexander Zapesotsky had headed SPbGUP since 1991. Since 2012, he had been one of Putin’s authorized representatives. In the autumn of 2025, the court removed him from his post. At the same time, Yevgeny Labushev was appointed acting head of the university.
The Prosecutor General’s Office sought to seize several university real estate assets, including a dormitory and a gymnasium. According to the agency, Zapesotsky used university property for personal enrichment through revenue from paid tuition and budget funds. The rector himself denied these accusations.