On Wednesday, a Russian court ordered the detention of a bar’s administrator and art director, charging them with running an extremist organisation under recent laws that target the LGBTQ community.
This marks the first case of criminal prosecution following Russia’s ban on the so-called international LGBT movement in November, signifying the country’s clampdown on LGBTQ rights.
The court’s decision affects the personnel of the ‘Pose’ bar, located in Orenburg, southwestern Russia. The people in question will be held in custody until May 18, facing prison sentences of up to 10 years.
Previously, authorities had accused the duo of encouraging non-traditional sexual relations among the bar’s patrons.
The respective action follows a police raid on the establishment in March, an event that gained dishonour as videos depicting the arrests of many visitors emerged online. This case underscores the challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Russia amidst growing legislative restrictions.
The Court said, ‘The accused, people of non-traditional sexual orientation, acted in premeditation with a group of people who also support the views and activities of the international public association LGBT’.
The director of the “League of the Safe Internet” and figurehead of the ultra-traditional faction pushing for repressive laws, Ekaterina Mizulina, hailed the criminal proceedings on Monday.
Comments