Police Raids on LGBT Venues in Moscow
In Moscow, police raids on LGBT nightclubs and a men’s sauna marked a dramatic increase in actions against these communities, following Russia’s recent ban on the “international LGBT movement” for extremism. A popular nightclub was abruptly searched, leading to its closure. Russian media reported similar raids on three other clubs and a sauna, though these claims remain unconfirmed by international agencies. Concurrently, Saint Petersburg’s oldest gay club closed in response to the ban. These incidents are part of a broader, conservative campaign in Russia, increasingly promoting traditional values and restricting LGBT rights, especially under Vladimir Putin’s rule and with the Orthodox Church’s support. The LGBT community now faces heightened threats, including potential prison sentences, in addition to existing restrictions against “non-traditional sexual relations” propaganda. Read full article