Trial of Andrey Kotov, Russian LGBT travel agent to proceed despite his death in prison
A Legal Battle Beyond the Grave
The case of Andrey Kotov, a Russian travel agent arrested for arranging trips for LGBT individuals and later found dead in custody in December, will still proceed to trial, BBC News Russian reported on Friday.
Arrest Amid Russia’s Crackdown on LGBT Rights
Kotov was taken into custody in late November, accused of being involved in an “extremist community.” This charge is based on the 2023 ruling by the Russian Supreme Court, which effectively banned the so-called “international LGBT movement.”
Violent Arrest and Police Brutality
Footage from the November raid at Kotov’s home shows him in severe distress as officers interrogate him aggressively. “Around 15 people stormed in the middle of the night. I was beaten, punched in the face, and kicked in the legs,” he testified during a court hearing on December 2, according to Mediazona.
Death in Detention Ruled as Suicide
One month after his arrest, Kotov was found dead in his cell. Investigators classified it as a suicide, though his lawyer, Leysan Mannapova, highlighted the violence he had endured. She told BBC News Russian that the case remains open since his family did not request its closure.
Contested Charges
Despite police brutality, Kotov consistently denied the charges against him. However, authorities claim they found evidence on his phone proving his involvement in organizing LGBT-friendly boat tours on the Volga River and a trip to Egypt. They argued that such activities endangered “constitutional order and state security.”
An Apolitical Man Caught in Repressive Laws
His lawyer stated in January that Kotov was shocked by the charges. “He never fully understood what he was accused of,” she explained. His friend Svetlana confirmed that he saw himself as apolitical and never expected to be targeted by Russia’s tightening anti-LGBT laws. “We’ve always been oppressed, we’ve always been persecuted, but we will survive,” she said.
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