Russia’s Supreme Court has outlawed LGBTQ+ activism, the most drastic step against advocates of gay, lesbian and transgender rights in the country.
Ruling in response to a lawsuit filed by the Justice Ministry, the court labelled what the suit called the LGBTQ+ “movement” operating in Russia as an extremist organization and banned it.
The ruling is the latest step in a decade-long crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia under President Vladimir Putin.
Putin has emphasised “traditional family values” during his 24 years in power.
Thursday’s closed-door hearing lasted four hours. The court did not allow anyone, besides Justice Ministry representatives.
There was no defendant. The Court only took in journalists into the courtroom for the reading of the verdict by Judge Oleg Nefedov.
Nefedov wore a face mask, apparently for health reasons while reading the verdict.
The ministry said the case is classified and it didn’t disclose any evidence. It, however, said authorities had identified “signs and manifestations of an extremist nature” in the movement it seeks to ban.
The ministry said the signs included “incitement of social and religious discord”.
Multiple rights activists have noted the lawsuit was lodged against a movement that is not an official entity.
And that under its broad and vague definition, Russian authorities could crack down on any individuals or groups deemed to be part of it.
“In practice, it could happen that the Russian authorities, with this court ruling, will enforce (the ruling) against LGBTQ+ initiatives that work in Russia.
“It considered them a part of this civic movement,” said Max Olenichev, a human rights lawyer.
Olenichev works with the Russian LGBTQ+ community, contacted by The Associated Press before the ruling. (AP News)