MOSCOW – The French skyscraper climber who calls himself “Spiderman” scaled Europe’s tallest skyscraper in the Russian capital on Tuesday before being detained by police.

Alain Robert climbed to the top of the 799-feet-high Federation office building, Europe’s tallest building, in less than a half-hour using a ladder.

Police did not try to prevent him from ascending the building or attempt to pursue him, but detained him afterward.

It was not immediately clear why Robert, renowned for climbing without ropes or other equipment, used the ladder on his Moscow ascent.

Organizers of Robert’s Moscow climbing tour said they had received the necessary clearance for the climb from the city authorities.

Robert told reporters as he was being whisked away by police that he did not understand the reason for his detention.

The ITAR-Tass news agency said the climber could face a fine for violating safety norms at a construction site. The Federation tower is part of a sprawling business complex that is still under construction.

Robert has climbed more than 70 of the world’s tallest structures, including the Eiffel Tower, the Empire State Building and the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur, with his bare hands and without a safety net.