Russia: 12 Found Guilty Following Raids on Moscow Gay Clubs

At least 12 individuals arrested during “anti-LGBTQ ‘propaganda” raids on Moscow gay clubs have been found guilty of “petty hooliganism.”

The raids targeted three venues—Arma, Inferno, and Mono—on the night of Saturday, 30 November, and the early morning of Sunday, 1 December.

Riot police stormed the clubs, shouting orders and forcing patrons, including a dancer, onto the floor. Disturbing footage shows officers striking some individuals who were slow to comply.

In another video, dozens of terrified patrons are seen cowering on the dance floor with their hands behind their heads.

The raids appear to have been blatant harassment of the LGBTQ+ community, carried out on the one-year anniversary of Russia’s designation of the “international LGBT movement” as an “extremist organisation.”

Unconfirmed social media reports suggest that “many men” were taken from the clubs to military conscription offices.

The individuals found guilty of petty hooliganism reportedly received administrative detention sentences of up to 15 days.

Growing Persecution Under Putin

Russia’s LGBTQ+ community continues to face severe repression under President Vladimir Putin.

In 2013, Putin signed a federal law banning the promotion of “non-traditional” sexual relationships to minors, a measure widely condemned as discriminatory. This legislation was weaponised to suppress LGBTQ+ Pride events and censor positive representations of LGBTQ+ individuals.

In 2022, the law was expanded to ban any public information or activity related to LGBTQ+ issues for all Russians, further tightening restrictions.

Last year, Russia declared the “international LGBT movement” an extremist organisation, a classification that carries severe legal penalties.

According to Human Rights Watch, participating in or financing such an organisation can result in up to 12 years in prison. Displaying symbols associated with these groups can lead to detention of up to 15 days for a first offence and up to four years in prison for a second.

In January, a woman was jailed for five days for wearing rainbow earrings in public.

Crackdown on Trans Rights

President Putin has also targeted transgender rights. Last year, he signed a bill outlawing gender-affirming healthcare and banning the alteration of gender markers on official documents.

Additionally, Russia recently passed legislation prohibiting the adoption of Russian children by individuals in countries that allow gender transition.

The recent raids on gay clubs and the ongoing crackdown highlight the increasingly hostile environment for LGBTQ+ individuals in Russia, where human rights are being systematically undermined.