Andrei Kotov, director of the 'Men Travel' agency, was found dead in his cell early Sunday while in pretrial detention. Authorities say he died by suicide, but Kotov's lawyer and independent media outlets allege he was beaten and tortured by law enforcement during his arrest. Kotov faced charges of 'organizing extremist activity and participating in it,' stemming from a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia.
A Russia n man arrested for allegedly running a travel agency for gay customers was found dead in custody in Moscow, rights group OVD-Info reported Sunday, amid a crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia .According to OVD-Info, which tracks political arrests, Andrei Kotov — director of the 'Men Travel' agency — faced charges of 'organizing extremist activity and participating in it.
Just over a year ago, Russia's Supreme Court effectively outlawed any LGBTQ+ activism in a ruling that designated 'the international LGBT movement' as extremist. According to Human Rights Watch, the court accused the 'LGBT movement' of inciting social and religious discord. The move exposed anyone in the community or connected to it to criminal prosecution and prison, ushering in an atmosphere of fear and intimidation.
LGBTQ+ Russia Human Rights Death In Custody Crackdown
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Russian Man Arrested for Running Travel Agency for Gay Customers Found Dead in CustodyA Russian man accused of running a travel agency for gay clients was found dead in custody in Moscow, according to rights group OVD-Info. Andrei Kotov, the director of the “Men Travel” agency, faced charges of “organizing extremist activity and participating in it.” OVD-Info reported that an investigator informed Kotov's lawyer that he died by suicide in his cell while awaiting trial.
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Russian Man Accused of Running Gay Travel Agency Found Dead in CustodyAndrei Kotov, the director of the travel agency 'Men Travel', was arrested in Moscow for allegedly organizing extremist activities. He was found dead in his cell while in pre-trial detention, with authorities stating it was a suicide. Kotov had previously claimed that police assaulted him with beatings and electric shocks during his arrest.
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Russian Gay Travel Agency Owner Found Dead in CustodyA Russian man arrested for running a travel agency for gay customers was found dead in custody in Moscow. Human rights groups say Andrei Kotov died by suicide while facing charges related to extremism.
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Russian Gay Travel Agency Director Found Dead in CustodyAndrei Kotov, director of a travel agency catering to gay customers in Russia, died by suicide in pretrial detention. Kotov was facing charges of organizing extremist activity and had previously alleged police brutality during his arrest.
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