Orenburg Court Jails 3 Bar Workers for LGBTQ+ ‘Extremism’

June 29, 2026 Alexander Klimov, Art Director of the Orenburg bar Pose. Social media A court in the Orenburg region on Monday handed down prison sentences to a bar owner and two of his employees in Russia’s first criminal case targeting people accused of belonging to what authorities call the “international LGBT movement.” The trio was arrested on LGBTQ+ “extremism” charges in March 2024, representing the first instance of criminal charges being pressed in connection with the Russian Supreme Court’s designation of the non-existent “LGBT movement” as “extremist” the year before. Bar owner Vyacheslav Khasanov received a seven-year sentence, according to Ostorozhno Novosti. Manager Diana Kamilyanova was sentenced to six years and three months, while art director Alexander Klimov received two years and three months. All three were accused of organizing events that demonstrated “affiliation with individuals of unconventional sexual orientation under the guise of running a nightlife venue.” According to the exiled news outlet Mediazona, the bar hosted drag shows. The trio denied the charges during the court proceedings, which were held behind closed doors. While the case represents the first instance of criminal charges being brought under the LGBTQ+ “extremism” designation, Russia’s first actual prison sentence under the ban was issued separately in January 2025 in the Kemerovo region. The Orenburg court said Monday that its verdict has not yet taken effect and remains subject to appeal. In addition to the prison terms, the court seized 1 million rubles ($12,800) in revenue from Khasanov. It also barred all three defendants from working in the entertainment and hospitality industries for two to three years following their release. Read more about: Orenburg , LGBT , Court cases Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Trans Woman Charged With Justifying Terrorism Launches Hunger Strike in Jail Olga Sivushkova was arrested in January for allegedly sharing a link to an interview with a spokesman for the Freedom of Russia Legion, a Ukraine-based... 2 Min read Russia Arrests Gay Bar Owner Amid Ongoing Crackdown The bar owner face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty 1 Min read Russia Arrests Gay Club Managers in First LGBTQ+ ‘Extremism’ Criminal Case The club's art director and bar manager face up to 10 years in prison if found guilty of “organizing extremist activities.” 2 Min read Russia Opens First Criminal Case Into ‘LGBT Extremism,’ Says Mizulina Pro-war activists said earlier this month that they helped police target the gay club Pose for spreading “LGBT propaganda.” 1 Min read