For the first time, Russia has declared a "member of the international LGBT movement" wanted
Kyiv • UNN
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation has declared Vadim Vaganov wanted for participation in the LGBT movement. This is the first criminal case under this article against a specific individual.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia has placed activist, former member of the St. Petersburg branch of "Yabloko" and openly gay man Vadim Vaganov on a federal wanted list. This was reported by the Astra Telegram channel, according to UNN.
Details
Information regarding the search appeared in the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs database. Vaganov himself stated that criminal proceedings have likely been initiated against him.
"As of today, I have five administrative fines for failure to comply with 'foreign agent duties' and six for 'LGBT propaganda.' And now a criminal case has been added,"
Vaganov became the first person involved in a case concerning the "international LGBT movement"
According to Vaganov, the criminal prosecution could be related either to his "foreign agent" status or to an article on "extremism."
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Astra notes that in November 2024, the activist was added to the register of "foreign agents," and in April 2025, the Russian Ministry of Justice first drew attention to him as a "participant in the international LGBT public movement."
In Russia, the "international LGBT movement" was previously recognized as an "extremist organization."