A Russian court has ordered the detention of two bar workers on allegations of involvement in an “extremist organization,” citing the recent legislation that criminalizes the LGBTQ+ community in the country.
This marks the first instance of such a criminal case following Russia’s enactment of a ban on the so-called “international LGBT movement” in November.
The Orenburg tribunal confirmed that the art director and the administrator of the Pose bar were subjected to a preventive measure. They will remain in custody until 18 May and could potentially face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty, as stated by the court.
Initially, the tribunal accused the two individuals of “promoting non-traditional sexual relations among the bar’s patrons.”
In a raid conducted by law enforcement officials in March, videos capturing the humiliating arrests of some bar visitors surfaced on the internet.
According to the court’s statement on Telegram, the accused individuals, who are of non-traditional sexual orientation, were alleged to have collaborated with a group advocating for the international LGBTQ+ association.
Russia has provided only a vague outline of what it defines as the “international LGBT movement,” creating an avenue for the prosecution of individuals supporting LGBTQ+ rights or associating with the community.
Ekaterina Mizulina, the leader of the conservative League of the Safe Internet, celebrated the initiation of criminal proceedings. Mizulina hailed the case as the first in Russia following the supreme court’s classification of the LGBT community as an extremist movement.
Amnesty International’s response highlighted the fears of LGBTQ+ individuals and human rights activists, expressing concern over the recent developments.
Since 2013, Russia has seen a tightening of restrictions on promoting “non-traditional” relationships to children, with escalating pressure on liberal segments of society. The conservative rhetoric has intensified, particularly in the backdrop of the conflict with Ukraine, portraying it as a clash against western liberal values.
President Vladimir Putin expanded the 2013 law in December 2022 to criminalize any public discourse that positively portrays LGBTQ+ individuals or relationships.
Furthermore, in July of the previous year, lawmakers prohibited medical procedures and administrative actions allowing gender changes. Subsequently, in November, the supreme court approved the ban on the “LGBT movement,” resulting in several administrative actions, including fines and brief detentions.
Amnesty International urged the international community to intervene, calling on Russian authorities to reassess the discriminatory supreme court ruling and halt the persecution of LGBTQ+ individuals immediately.