Russian travel agency owner Andrei Kotov was targeted by the police due to offering tours solely aimed at men, which was perceived as targeting the gay community. He was allegedly beaten during a raid and pressured by officers to confess to running a travel agency for gay people, which he denied. Kotov was later found dead in his prison cell, with officials claiming he cut himself with a razor.
The crackdown on LGBTQ rights in Russia has accelerated since the war in Ukraine, with President Putin implementing new restrictions under the guise of maintaining “Russian traditional values.” The Supreme Court labeled the international LGBTQ movement as an extremist organization in 2023, leading to severe penalties for gay rights activists and supporters.
The repressive measures have led to a wave of repression against LGBTQ individuals and groups, with police raids on gay nightclubs and investigations targeting ordinary citizens. This crackdown comes after years of LGBTQ acceptance following the decriminalization of homosexuality in 1993. However, Putin’s regime has increasingly targeted the LGBTQ community, passing laws against “gay propaganda” and promoting traditional family values.
The harsh treatment of LGBTQ individuals in Russia has forced many to flee the country, while others like Tahir, a 25-year-old gay man, remain determined to stay despite the escalating persecution. Activists warn of the consequences of the relentless anti-LGBTQ messaging in the media and urge for international support to protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals under threat in Russia.
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