The nightlife of Russia’s elite has long been notoriously daring, but a recent party crossed an invisible line and sparked a public scandal. A pop star went to prison and several others publicly apologized, while a subsequent lawsuit sought a fortune in restitution.
The scandal erupted after TV presenter and actress Anastasia Ivleeva hosted a party at a Moscow nightclub where the dress code was “almost naked.”
Soon after, photos from the party began circulating on social media – including images of rapper Vacio wearing only a sock on his genitals.
Conservative MPs, bloggers and others sparked a storm of criticism, claiming the images were unbecoming, even unpatriotic, for a country embroiled in war.
Some of the criticism reflected extremely conservative sentiment in Russia, with President Vladimir Putin repeatedly accusing the West of trying to undermine “traditional values” and nationalism exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine.
“Such meeting places are a slap in the face to the entire policy pursued by the state,” Yekaterina Mizulina, leader of a Kremlin-aligned group advocating for stronger internet restrictions, wrote on the messaging app Telegram.
Maria Butina, a lawmaker who was once imprisoned in the United States for her work as an unregistered Russian agent, called on police to investigate whether the party violated Russian laws restricting the spread of LGBTQ “propaganda.” forbid.
Two days after the party’s founding, Vacio, whose official name is Nikolai Vasilyev, was jailed for petty hooliganism and fined about $2,000 for violating the country’s propaganda law.
Russia’s Supreme Court ruled in November that the LGBTQ “movement” constituted extremism. Less than 48 hours later, Moscow police raided gay clubs and bars across the city.
At the time, Olga Baranova, director of the Moscow Community Center for LGBTQ+ Initiatives, said many people would consider leaving Russia before being targeted.
“It is clear to us that they are once again portraying us as an internal enemy in order to divert focus from all the other problems that abound in Russia,” Baranova told the Associated Press.
Lawsuit demands damages to support Russian soldiers
On Wednesday, Russian media reported that about 20 people had filed a 1 billion ruble ($11 million) class action lawsuit against Ivleeva, claiming they suffered moral harm from viewing the party photos.
In a picture published on December 21, people attend an “almost naked” party organized by Anastasia Ivleeva at the Mutabor nightclub in Moscow. (Ostorozhno Novosti via Reuters)
The lawsuit demands that damages be paid to a fund that supports soldiers fighting in Ukraine. Hearings in the case would begin as early as January, but the case’s prospects remain unclear even in a court system that routinely follows the state’s lead.
“People can gather half-naked, naked, or wearing quilted jackets over thongs. … ‘Socially disapproved’ does not necessarily mean ‘illegal’,” lawyer Yulia Fedotova was quoted as saying by the news.ru portal.
Following the outrage, several of the biggest figures in Russian pop culture have made public statements asking for forgiveness for attending the party.
“There are moments in everyone’s life when they go through the wrong door,” said Philipp Kirkorov, a singer known for his over-the-top, glittery costumes. In a video statement, he said he and other celebrities should choose their events carefully “during this difficult time, a time of heroism.”
Ksenia Sobchak, a socialite and journalist who was a presidential candidate in 2018, said: “If anyone was offended by my appearance, I apologize. I love my country, I am a journalist working in Russia.”
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2023-12-28 23:39:27
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