Russian court finds Andrei Kotov guilty of “LGBT extremism”—posthumously. He committed suicide soon after arrest

Kotov faced a string of charges, posthumously: “organising an extremist organisation”, participating in such an “organisation”, as well as “using minors under 4 years old to produce pornographic materials.”

The extremism charges are linked to Russia’s 2023 ban on the non-existent “International LGBT Social Movement”.

The prosecution’s case centered on Kotov’s company, Men Travel, which allegedly organised commercial tours for gay men. At his hearing on December 2, 2024, Kotov denied the charges, stating that his agency organised ordinary tourist trips.

“About 15 people came to my place at night, beat me up, hit me in the face and legs, leaving bruises. I didn't resist at all, I was extremely surprised by this procedure,” Kotov described his detention. According to the man, one of the security officers used a stun gun.

His attorney Leysan Mannapova stressed that Kotov was charged with both organising and participating in extremist organisation, charges that are “mutually exclusive.

Judge Kristina Kostryukova granted the investigator’s request and ordered Kotov be held in pre-trial detention. Almost immediately after his arrest, the man was placed in solitary confinement for 15 days. According to Kotov’s friend, he was not allowed to receive medication or warm clothing.

On December 29, 2024, Andrei Kotov was found dead in his cell at the “Vodnik” detention center in Moscow. His lawyer later confirmed that he died by suicide.

In March, it became known that Kotov’s legal representatives had not requested that the case be closed, and that he would be tried posthumously. The Golovinsky Court in Moscow held closed hearings since June. The final indictment, which also included a charge of using minors to distribute pornography, states that the case is closed due to the death of the defendant.