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The Investigative Committee has opened a new criminal case against LGBTQ activist Yaroslav Sirotkin from Yaroslavl, reports ‘Postnews,’ citing a source in law enforcement.
This time, Sirotkin has been charged with involvement in the activities of an extremist organisation (Part 2, Article 282.2 of the Russian Criminal Code).
According to investigators, from December 2023 to January 2024, the activist participated in the activities of the non-existent “international public LGBTQ movement.” Law enforcement allege that he published 14 posts and videos with “propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations,” as well as content aimed at “justifying and involving others” in the activities of the organisation.
In April 2022, the Ministry of Justice included Sirotkin on the list of “foreign agents.” After that, he was fined twice under an administrative article for failing to fulfil “foreign agent” obligations due to the absence of the required labelling on his posts (Part 4, Article 19.34 of the Code of Administrative Offences). He was fined again for failing to submit a report (Part 2, Article 19.34 of the Code).
In 2024, a criminal case was opened against Sirotkin for failure to fulfil “foreign agent” obligations (Part 2, Article 330.1 of the Russian Criminal Code). As part of this case, he was declared wanted.
Sirotkin is currently living abroad. Before leaving Russia, he was a member of the LGBTQ group “Callisto” and frequently organised protests against homophobia. In August 2020, on Paratroopers’ Day, Sirotkin held a solo picket in the centre of Yaroslavl, a city north of Moscow, with a rainbow flag and a sign reading: “Gays also serve in the Airborne Forces.” During the demonstration, a group of people attacked and beat him.