Police in Moscow arrest 50 on National Coming Out Day

In a recent development in Moscow, Russian police executed raids on two gay clubs, detaining more than 50 people, as reported by pro-Russian Telegram channels MSK1 and SHOT. The operations took place in the early hours of a Saturday, with Central Station and Three Monkeys, two well-known queer venues in the city, being targeted.

Central Station, located in downtown Moscow, had been hosting a National Coming Out Day event—a global occasion observed on 11 October to support the LGBTQ+ community. The police raid occurred around 1 a.m. when approximately 200 patrons were present. Videos from the incident show law enforcement officers aggressively searching and detaining individuals, some of whom were forced to stand against walls, while others were made to lie on the ground. In this raid, over 50 people were taken into custody. The current whereabouts and conditions of these detainees remain unclear.

The second venue, Three Monkeys, which is also situated in central Moscow, was similarly raided. Both establishments are managed by the same ownership and are considered significant spaces within Moscow’s LGBTQ+ nightlife scene.

According to SHOT, the impetus for these raids was a series of “civilian complaints”. Residents reportedly accused Three Monkeys of exhibiting indecent behaviour, including instances of men dressed as women and public displays of affection between same-sex individuals. The channels further reported that allegations were made against Central Station for potentially “discrediting the Russian army.” This arose from claims that drag performers at the venue had allegedly mocked Russian military operations in Ukraine during a performance.

The raids come within the broader context of a tightening crackdown on the LGBTQ+ community by Russian authorities. Central Station has faced a history of challenges, having briefly shut down in the past following violent incidents linked to the 2014 enactment of Russia’s anti-LGBTQ laws. This enforcement aligns with recent escalations in policies marking the “international LGBT movement” as an extremist body. This crackdown has also led to the closure of the Central Station venue in St. Petersburg.

The situation highlights ongoing tensions and the complex environment faced by LGBTQ+ communities in Russia, amid heightened scrutiny and regulations.

Source: Noah Wire Services