Astrakhan resident fined for LGBT* symbols

A court in Astrakhan fined local resident Oksana Savich 1000 roubles for photographs posted on social networks that were recognized as LGBT* symbols.

In court, Oksana Savich pleaded not guilty and claimed that she posted the above photographs on her page back in 2016. However, the defendant could not explain why she placed them. Oksana Savich is aware that the LGBT* movement is recognized in Russia as an extremist organization.

“The page on the ‘VKontakte’ social network is open, and any user may enter it and see the image of the Rainbow,” states the decision of the Kirovsky District Court.

The “Caucasian Knot” has also reported that the publication of a video with a schoolboy from the village of Dinskaya dancing in a Snow Maiden costume aroused discontent among several residents of the region, who complained to the authorities about LGBT* propaganda.

*On November 30, 2023, the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation declared the movement an "extremist organization" and banned the "international public movement of LGBT people". With this decision, the court satisfied the claim of the Russian Ministry of Justice, sent to the court on November 17, 2023.