Law enforcement officers have claimed they discovered weapons and illegal substances at one of the venues
Russian police raided several Moscow night clubs on Friday night, citing restrictions on LGBT propaganda, TASS has reported. At least three large dance venues were raided, including the site of a controversial naked party last year that drew widespread public attention.
According to people at the clubs who posted videos of the raids online, officers stormed the venues late at night and forced people to lie face down on the floor with their hands behind their heads.
The masked riot police then proceeded to check documents and question the guests at random, eventually letting the female revellers go. Visitors to Arma, the site of last year’s infamous party, claimed the raid lasted for at least three hours.
Officers also reportedly searched the premises with dogs. Some of the guests were detained on suspicion of being under the influence of drugs, although it is unclear how many detentions were made.
Этой ночью силовики устроили облавы в московских ночных клубах «Монобар», «Инферно», «Арма», «Simach». Искали наркотики и представителей нетрадиционной ориентации. Сотни человек уложили на пол. Задержали и увезли в участки десятки посетителей и организаторов. pic.twitter.com/PSrzjhJduV
— Независимый взгляд ???? (@zgldz) November 30, 2024
The Interior Ministry in Moscow later confirmed the raid at a club called Inferno. According to a statement released by the ministry on Saturday, the inspection was conducted to “identify illegal activity” after police received information that the venue was linked to LGBT propaganda, which has been banned in Russia since 2022.
В московских клубах Arma (бывший «Мутабор»), в бывшем гей-клубе Mono и баре Simach прошли рейды рейды силовиков, приуроченные к годовщине признания ЛГБТ «экстремистским движением» в России, что произошло 30 ноября 2023 года pic.twitter.com/oysQvCnSJo
— REXNEWS (@REXNEWS_) November 30, 2024
“According to operational information, the club was promoting the ideology of the LGBT movement, which is banned in Russia,” the statement read, noting that the raid yielded weapons and a stash of illegal alcohol.
Москва.
— ТОМКА❤️СССР (@TOMKACCCP) November 30, 2024
Ночью силовики устроили облавы на московские гей клубы «Монобар», «Инферно», «Арма», «Simach».
В ходе рейда выявили полный букет: наркота, мигранты-танцоры, ВИЧ-инфицированные и гей-эскортники.
Мордой в пол уложили сотни отдыхающих.
Задержаны десятки организаторов. pic.twitter.com/yiCoNtF0KB
The ministry did not confirm the raids at other clubs, nor disclose information regarding detentions made during the searches. Media reports claim that all three clubs were closed on Saturday, with the entrance to Inferno sealed and its logo removed.
Russia has been tightening laws regarding LGBTQ since the early 2010s, first banning propaganda among minors in 2013 and then expanding the prohibition to adults in 2022. The same year, the Russian Supreme Court also outlawed the “international LGBT public movement,” labeling it an extremist organization.
READ MORE: Russian deputy minister slams ‘gay nationalism’
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly clarified that the authorities have no desire to interfere in people’s private lives, pledging that they will not crack down on representatives of the LGBTQ community for their personal choices. He noted, however, that “flaunting” them in public or involving children will be considered cause for prosecution.
