In a troubling development reflecting Russia’s intensified efforts against LGBTQ+ rights, a medic has been arrested for allegedly promoting same-sex relationships and ‘Satanism’ as part of a broader campaign to enforce traditional family values.
In a recent development underscoring Russia’s ongoing legal crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights, a medic was arrested on charges of “Satanism” and “promoting same-sex relationships” in the central Ulyanovsk region. The arrest, conducted by Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB), marks a continuation of Moscow’s campaign to uphold what it defines as “traditional family values”.
The medic, who held a senior position within a medical institution, was accused by the FSB of engaging in “devil worshipping”. The arrest represents an uncommon but not unprecedented invocation of religious-themed allegations, as the influence of the Orthodox Church continues to grow in Russia’s increasingly conservative social landscape.
According to the FSB, investigations revealed that the accused allegedly encouraged same-sex relations among his colleagues as a purported induction into Satanism. The FSB claims that he also misled individuals into believing that embracing such practices would lead to financial gain and career progression. As a result, a criminal case has been initiated, with charges relating to coercion into sexual acts and participation in an extremist group.
The agency underscored its accusations with video footage showing the arrest, which took place in the medic’s apartment. The video depicted the suspect being taken into custody by operatives clad in camouflage gear and masks.
This arrest is part of a broader legal and societal movement in Russia. In November of the previous year, authorities officially banned what they termed the “international LGBT movement”. Russia has consistently ranked poorly in terms of LGBTQ rights and legal protections, placing last in a European evaluation that examines the impact of national laws and policies on LGBTQ communities.
This incident occurs against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny and hostility directed toward LGBTQ individuals and groups in Russia, particularly after the geopolitical tensions heightened by the country’s involvement in the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The case adds to a series of state actions perceived as part of a clampdown aimed at preserving a state-sanctioned notion of family values amidst such tensions.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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