Danila Morozov, a 22-year-old Russian university student, has been sentenced by a Moscow court to 15 days in jail and fined 50,000 rubles (approximately $1,300 New Zealand Dollars) for “displaying LGBT symbols” and “discrediting the Russian military.”
Morozov, who studies at the Higher School of Economics and serves on the Youth Parliament—an advisory group to the Russian State Duma—was convicted for publishing posts on his Telegram channel that breached national laws. His channel has been subsequently removed.
This judgment, which was announced by the court’s press service on Friday, the 3rd of May, follows a recent ruling by the Russian Supreme Court, which classified the “international LGBT movement” as an “extremist organisation.” This classification has prompted a broader clampdown on queer activism within the country. Activities such as displaying pride flags are now equated with “showing extremist symbols.”
Morozov’s sentence also follows an incident earlier in March, when another individual was detained and accused of using “extremist symbols” for allegedly sharing a rainbow flag emoji in a private conversation.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the situation for LGBTQ+ rights in Russia has become more precarious. Authorities have conducted raids on gay venues, and fines have been imposed on individuals for displaying queer symbols, including wearing rainbow-coloured accessories.
The penalty imposed on Morozov underscores the escalating challenges faced by the LGBTQ+ community in Russia, where symbols of pride and unity are now grounds for criminal charges, exacerbating the marginalisation of this already vulnerable group.
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