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Russia: Man accused of organizing LGBTQ+ tours dies in jail

www.dw.com Russia: Man accused of organizing LGBTQ+ tours dies in jail – DW – 12/29/2024

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.

Russia: Man accused of organizing LGBTQ+ tours dies in jail – DW – 12/29/2024

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.

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