The first criminal case was opened in the Russian Federation after the “LGBT movement” was recognized as extremist

In Orenburg, a criminal case has been opened against the Pose club for participation in extremist activities, law enforcement agencies told Kommersant. Head of the Safe Internet League Ekaterina Mizulina clarified, that such a case has been initiated in Russia for the first time since the Supreme Court declared the “international LGBT movement” extremist. According to Ms. Mizulina, local activists drew attention to the club’s activities.

According to Kommersant, the Investigation Department for the Southern Administrative District of Orenburg opened a case under Part 1 and Part 2 of Art. 282.2 of the Criminal Code (organization and participation in the activities of an extremist organization). The maximum penalty under this article is 12 years in prison.

“Earlier, local activists drew attention to the club,” wrote Ekaterina Mizulina on the Telegram channel. She did not specify which activists she was talking about. At the beginning of March, the Telegram channel “Russian Community” reported that 20 statements were sent to law enforcement agencies from club visitors who reported the illegal activities of “Pose”.

March 9 “Russian community” reported, that employees of the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs carried out “operational search activities on the subject of LGBT propaganda” at the Pose club. The channel also published a video of clubgoers lying on the floor or standing with their hands behind their heads. A man standing on the stage of the club calls what is happening “a special operation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs” and asks minor visitors to approach the stage. “Did you go through the wrong door?” — the author of the video asks the club visitors.

The activists’ message specified that the search in the club was carried out with the support of the Russian Community. During the search, as the channel writes, equipment and two bags with 12 sets of women’s clothing and 15 women’s wigs were seized. According to the Russian Community, as a result of the search, law enforcement officers also initiated a check of alcoholic beverages. In addition, searches were carried out at the home of the club administrator and one of the employees. During the inspection of the club, 25 Pose employees were interviewed.

On November 30, 2023, the Supreme Court of Russia banned the activities of the formally non-existent “International LGBT Social Movement” and declared it extremist. In March 2024, the Ministry of Justice included the movement in the list of prohibited and liquidated organizations.

Polina Motyzlevskaya; Rufia Kutlyaeva, Samara