Russia charges two bar workers under anti-LGBTQ+ law in first such case

A court in Russia gave orders to place two bar workers in police custody after they were accused of playing important roles in an “extremist organisation” under the country’s legislation which criminalises the LGBTQ+ community.

This is the first time such a criminal case has been filed in Russia since the “international LGBT movement” was banned in November.

“The court chose a preventive measure for the art director and administrator of the Pose bar,” said the Orenburg tribunal.

As per the court, the two bar workers will stay in police custody till May 18 and can face an imprisonment of 10 years, if convicted, as per the court.

Earlier, the two suspects were accused by the tribunal of “promoting non-traditional sexual relations among the visitors of the bar”.

In March, the bar was raided by law enforcement and the videos which showed the humiliating detentions of some visitors of the bar were shared online.

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“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,” said the court, on Telegram.

The “international LGBT movement” has been vaguely described by Russia publicly which paved the path for the court to prosecute anyone who has been protecting LGBTQ+ rights or identifies with the community.

League of the Safe Internet director Ekaterina Mizulin appreciated the criminal proceedings.

“This is the first criminal case in Russia after the decision of the Supreme Court to recognise LGBT as an extremist movement,” Mizulina said.

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Speaking about the case, Amnesty International said, “What LGBTQ persons and human rights activists have feared since the end of last year has finally come to pass.”

Russian lawmakers in 2013 banned people from promoting “non-traditional” relationships among children.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin in December 2022 expanded the 2013 law and criminalised any positive mention of LGBTQ+ people or relationships in the public.

The medical intervention and administrative procedures which helped people change gender were banned in Russia in July last year.

The Supreme Court in November passed the “LGBT movement” ban and several administrative proceedings were carried under it, which resulted in short detentions and fines.

“The international community must call on Russian authorities to review the homophobic supreme court ruling and immediately stop persecution of LGBTI persons,” said Amnesty.