Police in Russia have launched several investigations recently after several people, mainly women, allegedly took partially naked or sexually suggestive photos near several Russian landmarks, the newspaper writes The Guardian.
Last week, at least four cases were reported of police arresting, investigating or imprisoning Russians for sharing scantily clad photos on the internet. The people have, among other things, been photographed in front of the Kremlin wall, Vasily Cathedral and St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
Oral sex in front of the cathedral
Since August, several women have been remanded in custody after exposing both breasts and buttocks in front of public landmarks and police stations in several cities, including St. Petersburg and Yekaterinburg. Several of them say that they do not want to be held responsible for the fact that the photographs have been posted online.
According to the newspaper, a couple has been sentenced to ten months in prison after taking a picture that indicates oral sex. The photo was taken in front of the famous Vasily Cathedral in Moscow.
The couple was found guilty last week of insulting believers’ feelings, the indictment states. This marks the first time such accusations lead to imprisonment.
Clear marking
Another woman was sentenced to 14 days in prison after exposing her buttocks in front of the Kremlin wall, the newspaper writes. In another case, a woman was imprisoned after a similar incident at St. Isaac’s Cathedral.
A female model also went out with a public apology on Friday after she shared a photo of herself and another woman kissing in front of a memorial near the Kremlin wall in Moscow three years ago.
– PUSSY RIOT: Pussy Riot is a Russian music group that through music criticizes the Russian Church and Vladimir Putin’s government. The Guardian believes that the recent cases of blotting and scantily clad images in front of several landmarks in Russia are not of the same political tone. Photo: Andrej Isakovic / AFP
–
The cases highlight the authorities’ willingness to use severe penalties against non-traditional influencers in the country.
Want attention
While two of the members of the music group Pussy Riot were imprisoned after a performance in a cathedral in Moscow in 2012, several of the recent cases are far less political.
The newspaper believes that the recent cases are more about people generally wanting to attract more attention on platforms such as Instagram.
–
