Story perspectives

St. Petersburg Court Deems LGBT Network Extremist, Issues Ruble Fines

4/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The St Peterburg City Court designated the Russian LGBT Network an extremist organization, banning it.
Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Director Marie Struthers called the ruling a major blow.
Since late 2025 authorities have opened at least 23 extremism cases, including a 2.5-year sentence on 8 December 2025.
Courts fined Wink 200,000 rubles on 2 February 2026, Kinopoisk, Ivi and Wink 3-3.5 million rubles on 11 February 2026, and Roblox 8 million rubles on 20 April 2026 for “LGBT propaganda”.

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Story summary

The St Peterburg City Court designated the Russian LGBT Network an extremist organization, banning it.
Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Director Marie Struthers called the ruling a major blow.
Since late 2025 authorities have opened at least 23 extremism cases, including a 2.5-year sentence on 8 December 2025.
Courts fined Wink 200,000 rubles on 2 February 2026, Kinopoisk, Ivi and Wink 3-3.5 million rubles on 11 February 2026, and Roblox 8 million rubles on 20 April 2026 for “LGBT propaganda”.