Andrei Kotov, the director of the travel agency Men Travel, died while in pre-trial detention in Moscow. Russia officially views the "LGBT movement" as an illegal extremist group.
Summary
Andrei Kotov, a Russian travel agency director accused of organizing LGBTQ+ tours, died in pre-trial detention in Moscow.
Authorities claim his death was a suicide, but rights groups highlight previous reports of beatings and abuse during his arrest.
Kotov was charged with “extremist activities” after Russia banned the LGBTQ+ movement as extremist in 2023, intensifying its crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights.
He denied organizing specific LGBTQ+ events, calling them ordinary tours.
His death has raised concerns about the treatment of detainees and the broader suppression of dissent in Russia.