Police conduct raids on gay clubs and bars in Moscow

Following the recognition of the "international LGBTQ+ movement" as an "extremist organization" by the Supreme Court, Russian security forces have conducted raids on gay clubs and bars in Moscow, Reuters agency reported on Saturday.

The raids took place on Friday evening under the pretext of searching for drugs, affecting venues such as men's saunas, nightclubs, and bars known for organizing LGBTQ+ parties.

Eyewitnesses reported that the authorities checked venue visitors' documents and photographed them.

The Supreme Court's decision to deem the "international LGBTQ+ movement" as an "extremist organization" on Thursday is already in effect.

LGBTQ+ communities in Russia have long been subjected to persecution. The pretext for such actions was the 2013 ban on "gay propaganda" among minors. In 2022, a law prohibiting "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations and pedophilia" in movies, on the internet, in advertising, and in public spaces was enacted. More recently, in July of this year, Russia implemented a ban on sex-reassignment surgery for transgender individuals.