The Russian Police, in collaboration with the Federal Security Service (FSB), They have carried out night raids on premises in the capital, Moscow, where LGBT ideology was “promoted”all within the framework of the legislation approved in November 2022 and that toughens and expands punishments for those who spread LGTB content, a persecuted and banned community in the country.
In addition to “fighting LGBT propaganda”, police officers have registered to find out if the place promoted “non-traditional sexual relations” and check the working conditions of the workers, as detailed by the press service of the Moscow Ministry of the Interior to the TASS news agency.
The security device has focused specifically on a nightclub in the north of Moscow, where Mobile phones, laptops, video cameras have been seized and “other elements important to making a procedural decision.” The illegal sale of alcohol has also been detected and weapons have been seized.
harsher punishments
The Police have extended the deployment to two other nightlife venues in the capital where the attendees have been identified. The security forces have justified these other operations on complaints from neighbors.
The Russian State Duma approved in mid-November 2022 a reform that toughens and expands punishments against those who spread LGBT contentwith measures that no longer extend only to minors. The Russian ruling party justified the reform with the need to combat scourges such as pedophiliabut international human rights organizations warned of the democratic retreat what this measure entailed.
Thus, by virtue of this measure, the dissemination of content on sexual orientations considered non-traditional is prohibited, with a specific section to prevent it from being done. “propaganda” for gender reassignment therapies. Fines can reach 400,000 rubles (about 6,500 euros) in the case of ordinary citizens, or even double that amount for officials.
