A Russian man who was arrested for allegedly running a travel agency catering to gay customers was found dead in custody in Moscow, as reported by rights group OVD-Info. The man, identified as the director of the 'Men Travel' agency, faced charges of organizing extremist activity and participating in it.
According to OVD-Info, the man died by suicide while in pretrial detention and was discovered in his cell. Prior to his death, reports surfaced that he had rejected the charges and claimed to have been subjected to physical abuse and electric shocks during his arrest.
Over a year ago, Russia's Supreme Court made a ruling that effectively banned LGBTQ+ activism, labeling the international LGBT movement as extremist. This decision put individuals associated with the LGBTQ+ community at risk of criminal prosecution and imprisonment, creating an environment of fear and intimidation.
The LGBTQ+ community in Russia has faced legal and societal pressures for more than a decade, with tensions escalating following Russia's military involvement in Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin has framed the conflict as a battle against the West, accusing Western powers of seeking to undermine Russia's traditional values, including opposition to LGBTQ+ rights.
