Transfers to LGBT organizations will now be punished by the Russian authorities on the same level as terrorist financing.
Today, Rosfinmonitoring has added “international public movement LGBT” to the list of terrorist and extremist organizations, according to the agency’s website.
According to the law, the financing of such an organization, regardless of the amount, is punishable by up to 10 years in prison.
Last Thursday, the Central District Court of Orenburg placed under arrest the art director of the LGBT club “Pose” and the institution’s administrator for “organizing the activities of an extremist community”. This is the first criminal case on charges of participation and creation of an extremist organization because of LGBT activities.
“LGBT movement” was recognized as extremist in the Russian Federation in November 2023. The court also recognized as extremist and banned structural subdivisions of the organization. The Russian authorities did not specify what “structural subdivisions” the non-existent “LGBT movement” had.
Following the Supreme Court’s ruling, repression has intensified in Russia against any activity that law enforcement or the public associates with LGBT+ people.
There have been a number of police raids on clubs and bars frequented by members of the LGBT+ community. Some of these establishments have closed. Some non-profit organizations engaged in the protection of the rights of LGBT people, as well as social and medical assistance, reported about the termination of their activities.
