Russian boy, 13, charged under ‘LGBT propaganda’ law over video with ‘extremist’ symbol
A Russian school boy has been charged under ‘LGBT propaganda’ laws (Image: Stock image via Getty Images)
A boy, 13, in Russia has been registered as a juvenile offender after he allegedly showed classmates a video that led to accusations of “LGBT propaganda” and “displaying extremist symbols”, according to a Mediazona report. Officials are understood to have recommended he is removed from school and sent to a special education institute, where he would be “treated by psychologists”.
The boy’s details were withheld to protect his identity. The case was opened after classmates’ parents complained to police about the video. The content of the clip has not been made public, but it was alleged to include a symbol designated as “extremist”.
Because administrative responsibility in Russia applies from the age of 16, the case was then transferred to a regional Juvenile Affairs Commission.
A lawyer representing the boy has filed an appeal against the Commission’s decision, citing his excellent academic record. The lawyer argued the child did not understand the law, simply sharing the video, which was publicly available online, as a joke.
“He wasn’t trying to spread propaganda [because] he doesn’t even know what that is,” the lawyer told Mediazona. “[This was just] a joke for the sake of a joke.
“The internet is something that’s accessible to everyone… Even children can go online, come across [these kinds of videos], and show them to someone else. And the authorities consider this a form of propaganda?”
How ‘extremist symbols’ are being applied
In 2023, Russian authorities banned the so-called “international LGBT movement”, deeming it an extremist organisation. Under that framework, showcasing rainbow flags or other Pride-related signs can be classed as “displaying extremist symbols”, widening the scope for enforcement in everyday settings, including schools.
A Moscow court has also charged streaming services with LGBTQ+ “propaganda” amid the broader crackdown.
The case follows other recent enforcement actions under the same framework, including a deportation after a skirt review was deemed “LGBT propaganda”.
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