‘BACK TO THE USSR: “300 people stood in their underpants”: police raided LGBT clubs in Moscow’ is on #SoundCloud https://t.co/Pwp7JmVRf4
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 2, 2023
Month: December 2023
‘BACK TO THE USSR: “300 people stood in their underpants”: police raided LGBT clubs in Moscow’ is on #SoundCloud https://t.co/MRSaeJlg8jhttps://t.co/H8Od6BLwM8…
BACK TO THE USSR: “300 people stood in their underpants”: police raided LGBT clubs in Moscow -…— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 2, 2023
«Осторожно, Москва»
Телеграм-канал «Осторожно, Москва»
BACK TO THE USSR: “300 people stood in their underpants”: police raided LGBT clubs in Moscow – Gazeta.Ru
Police raids took place in LGBT establishments in Moscow. According to eyewitnesses, the events took place in clubs and saunas under the pretext of searching for drugs, and visitors’ passports were photographed. In addition, the oldest gay club in St. Petersburg announced its closure. On November 30, the Russian Supreme Court declared the LGBT movement extremist and banned its activities.
On the night of December 2, the police raided a nightclub on Malaya Yakimanka in Moscow during an LGBT party, the Telegram channel “Caution, Moscow” reported . According to the channel, about 300 people attended the event; police raided the establishment under the pretext of searching for drugs. Several visitors were detained.
“In the middle of the party, they stopped the music and [the police] started entering the halls. There were also citizens of other countries at the party. On the way out they took photographs of passports without permission to do so. The scheme was worked out, this is how similar clubs in St. Petersburg were closed. Someone is panicking,” said one of the guests of the establishment.
The channel later reported that all participants were released when their passports were photographed.
“I thought that’s it, I’ll be imprisoned for 12 years. We didn’t understand, 300 of us stood naked, wearing only shorts, and waited for our clothes to be brought out. And no one understood what was happening,” said a party participant in a conversation with the Telegram channel “Caution, News” .
Similar raids took place in other thematic establishments. According to Caution, Moscow , they began around 22:00 Moscow time on December 1. Law enforcement officers checked a club near the Avtozavodskaya metro station and a strip club for men near the Polyanka station. The administration of the establishments warned visitors in advance about the police visit. The check also took place in a bar near Chistoprudny Boulevard.
“There was an ordinary party, the owner comes out and says that within an hour people in uniform will come in connection with the recent law. Within 20 minutes, the dance floor began to empty,” said eyewitnesses.
In addition, the administration of the establishment reported that a popular singer was supposed to perform at the bar, but she refused the event. The message does not specify who we are talking about.
According to the channel, raids also took place in “LGBT saunas.” In particular, security forces came to the men’s premium bathhouse near Tsvetnoy Boulevard.
“Everything is going on like a regular drug raid. No violations were detected, but the mood was spoiled. It was indelicate in the sauna, with show masks, they put everyone face down,” eyewitnesses told Beware, Moscow .
LGBT clubs are closing
On the evening of December 1, the Central Station club in St. Petersburg announced its closure. The Fontanka publication called it “one of the oldest gay clubs in St. Petersburg.”
“Unfortunately, the site we rented refused to allow us to work due to the law. We apologize, we are no longer working,” says a message on the club’s VKontakte page.
Recently the club was located on Konyushennaya Square, where it moved after the spring police raids on Dumskaya Street. In March of this year, about 20 establishments were sealed on Dumskaya and Lomonosova streets, and 13 bars were closed in April. According to the Investigative Committee , this was done as part of an investigation into a criminal case involving teenagers in the systematic use of alcohol.
According to Fontanka.ru , the authorities of St. Petersburg plan to turn Dumskaya into a pedestrian street with a cultural and gastronomic space. There will be restaurants, bars, clubs, street cafes, and a food hall. In addition, a children’s playground and ice skating rink will be installed there to attract visitors.
LGBT recognized as extremist
On November 30, the Supreme Court of Russia recognized the “International LGBT Movement” as extremist (recognized as extremist in Russia and prohibited) and banned its activities in the country.
The lawsuit was filed by the Russian Ministry of Justice , in its assessment that the movement’s activities contain “various signs and manifestations of an extremist orientation, including incitement of social and religious hatred.” The department did not specify what exactly it considers a movement, who is in it or how it is organized.
On the same day, at the Forum of United Cultures in St. Petersburg, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that LGBT people are part of the community:
“They, too, these topics and these people, have the right to win, show, tell. Because this is also part of society. This is also what people live by.”
In 2013, Russia banned the promotion of non-traditional sexual relationships among minors. In 2022, the law was expanded to include a ban on the dissemination of such information among adults.
Полицейские рейды прошли в ЛГБТ-заведениях Москвы. По словам очевидцев, мероприятия проходили в клубах и саунах под предлогом поиска наркотиков, у посетителей фотографировали паспорта. Кроме того, о закрытии объявил старейший гей-клуб Петербурга. 30 ноября Верховный суд России признал движение ЛГБТ экстремистским и запретил его деятельность.
В ночь на 2 декабря полиция пришла с рейдом в ночной клуб на Малой Якиманке в Москве во время проведения ЛГБТ-вечеринки, сообщил Telegram-канал «Осторожно, Москва». По данным канала, на мероприятии присутствовали около 300 человек, полицейские ворвались в заведение под предлогом поиска наркотических средств. Несколько посетителей были задержаны.
«Посреди вечеринки остановили музыку и начали проходить в залы [полиция]. На вечеринке были также граждане других государств. На выходе фотографировали паспорта без разрешения это сделать. Схема отработанная, так закрывали похожие клубы в Питере. У кого-то паника», — рассказал один из гостей заведения.
Позднее канал сообщил, что всех участников отпустили, когда сфотографировали их паспорта.
«Я подумал, что все, меня посадят на 12 лет. Мы не понимали, мы стояли 300 человек голые, в трусах одних, и ждали, пока нам вынесут одежду. И никто не понимал, что происходит», — рассказал участник вечеринки в беседе с Telegram-каналом «Осторожно, новости».
Аналогичные рейды прошли и в других тематических заведениях. По данным «Осторожно, Москва», они начались около 22:00 мск 1 декабря. Сотрудники правоохранительных органов проверили клуб у станции метро «Автозаводская» и стрип-клуб для мужчин у станции «Полянка». Администрация заведений заранее предупредила посетителей о визите полиции. Также проверка прошла в баре у Чистопрудного бульвара.
«Была обычная туса, выходит владелец и говорит, что в течение часа придут люди в погонах в связи с недавним законом. В течение 20 минут танцпол стал пустеть», — поделились очевидцы.
Кроме этого, администрация заведения сообщила, что в баре должна была выступать популярная певица, но она отказалась от мероприятия. О ком идет речь, в сообщении не уточняется.
По информации канала, рейды также прошли в «ЛГБТ-саунах». В частности, силовики пришли в мужскую премиум-баню у Цветного бульвара.
«Проходит все, как обычный рейд по наркотикам. Нарушений не выявлено, но настроение испортили. В сауне было неделикатно, с масками-шоу, всех мордой вниз положили», — рассказали очевидцы «Осторожно, Москва».
ЛГБТ-клубы закрываются
Вечером 1 декабря о закрытии объявил клуб «Центральная станция» в Санкт-Петербурге. Издание «Фонтанка» назвало его «одним из старейших петербургских гей-клубов».
«К сожалению, площадка, которую мы арендовали, нам отказала в работе из-за закона. Просим прощения, мы больше не работаем», — говорится в сообщении на странице клуба в «ВКонтакте».
В последнее время клуб находился на Конюшенной площади, куда переехал после весенних полицейских рейдов на Думской улице. В марте текущего года на Думской и улице Ломоносова опечатали около 20 заведений, в апреле были закрыты 13 баров. По заявлению Следственного комитета, это было сделано в рамках расследования уголовного дела о вовлечении подростков в систематическое употребление алкоголя.
По данным «Фонтанки.ру», власти Санкт-Петербурга планируют сделать из Думской пешеходную улицу с культурно-гастрономическим пространством. Там будут рестораны, бары, клубы, уличные кафе, фудхолл. Кроме этого, там установят детскую площадку и каток, чтобы привлекать посетителей.
ЛГБТ признали экстремизмом
30 ноября Верховный суд России признал экстремистским «Международное движение ЛГБТ» (признано в России экстремистским и запрещено) и запретил его деятельность на территории страны.
Иск подало министерство юстиции России, по его оценке, в деятельности движения присутствуют «различные признаки и проявления экстремистской направленности, в том числе возбуждение социальной и религиозной розни». Ведомство не уточнило, что именно оно считает движением, кто в нем состоит и как оно устроено.
В тот же день на форуме объединенных культур в Санкт-Петербурге президент России Владимир Путин заявил, что представители ЛГБТ являются частью сообщества:
«Они тоже, эти темы и эти люди, имеют право на то, чтобы выигрывать, показывать, рассказывать. Потому что это тоже часть общества. Это тоже то, чем живут люди».
В 2013 году в России запретили пропаганду нетрадиционных сексуальных отношений среди несовершеннолетних. В 2022 году закон расширили, включив в него запрет на распространение подобной информации и среди взрослых.
❗️Израильская армия заявила, что подтвердила факт гибели пяти заложников
В заявлении ЦАХАЛ говорится, что факт гибели пяти человек, похищенных 7 октября, подтвержден и их семьи об этом уведомлены, передает AFP.
Ранее сегодня кибуц Нир Оз, подвергшийся нападению ХАМАС, сообщил о…
— bbcrussian (@bbcrussian) December 1, 2023
New York Times investigation reports Israel knew about Hamas’ October 7 attack plan https://t.co/aW6zwfRiCe via @LeMonde_EN
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 1, 2023
Israeli officials had obtained Hamas’s plan for an unprecedented attack on Israel over a year in advance, but had deemed the scenario to be aspirational, reports The New York Times in an investigation based on secret documents, published on Thursday, November 30. Israeli military intelligence had gotten hold of a 40-page Hamas document detailing, point by point, a large-scale attack matching the one perpetrated by commandos on October 7 – which left some 1,200 people dead in Israel – according to the American newspaper.
The document, which had circulated within intelligence circles under the code-name “Jericho Wall”, did not specify a possible date for an attack, but defined precise points for overwhelming the Israeli security apparatus and then attacking towns and military bases. More specifically, the document describes a barrage of rockets, the use of drones to take out security cameras and automated defense systems, and then fighters who would cross to the Israeli side by paraglider, car and on foot – all of which were factors in the October 7 attack.
‘A plan designed to start a war’
Yet it was “not yet possible to determine” whether this plan had been “fully accepted” by the Hamas leadership and how it might work out in reality, insists an internal Israeli army military assessment obtained by The New York Times. In July, however, an analyst from the elite signals intelligence Unit 8200 warned that Hamas had just conducted a military exercise that in many respects resembled the “Jericho Wall” document’s attack plan. But a colonel in the military division responsible for Gaza dismissed her warning.
“I utterly refute that the scenario is imaginary (…) It is a plan designed to start a war,” not simply for “a raid on a village,” this analyst wrote in encrypted emails which the newspaper viewed. “We already underwent a similar experience 50 years ago on the southern front in connection with a scenario that seemed imaginary, and history may repeat itself if we are not careful,” the analyst wrote to her colleagues – almost prophetically – referring to the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
According to The New York Times, while the “Jericho Wall” document was shared around the Israeli military hierarchy, it is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his cabinet had consulted it.
According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the Israeli army turned a deaf ear to repeated warnings from women soldiers posted as spotters on the border with Gaza in the days leading up to the October 7 Hamas attack. These “young women and young women commanders” were assigned to study surveillance camera footage for signs of “untoward activity.” “There’s no doubt that if men had been sitting at those screens, things would look different,” said one of these women soldiers who survived the attack, quoted in the Israeli publication.
Le Monde
Translation of an original article published in French on lemonde.fr; the publisher may only be liable for the French version.
Совещание с постоянными членами Совета Безопасности • Президент России https://t.co/I5Dbwt3dz5 pic.twitter.com/EuLWt2Gzwu
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 1, 2023
Видеообращение к участникам II конгресса «Национальное здравоохранение» • Президент России https://t.co/XCact9EYNn pic.twitter.com/YYKcBjtbdA
— Michael Novakhov (@mikenov) December 1, 2023
Washington — The House on Friday voted to expel embattled Republican Rep. George Santos from Congress, bringing an end to a tumultuous tenure in Washington that was defined by scandal from the start.
In their third attempt to oust him since May, House lawmakers voted 311 to 114 in favor of the expulsion resolution. Two members voted present, and eight members did not vote. The resolution required a two-thirds majority to pass.
“The clerk will notify the governor of the state of New York of the action of the House,” Speaker Mike Johnson announced from the House dais. “The chair announces that in light of the expulsion of the gentleman from New York, Mr. Santos, the whole number of the House is 434.”
Dozens of Santos’ colleagues were apparently swayed by a damning report from the House Ethics Committee released two weeks ago that found there was “substantial evidence” that Santos repeatedly broke the law. Santos brazenly embellished his biography to win his seat in Congress last year and now faces nearly two dozen federal charges related to alleged fraud and illegal use of campaign funds.
The bipartisan vote makes Santos just the sixth House member in U.S. history to be expelled and the first in more than 20 years. Rep. James Traficant was removed from office in 2002 after being convicted of 10 corruption-related felonies.
Ahead of Friday’s vote, the House GOP leadership, including Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise, said they opposed removing Santos. Johnson said earlier this week he has “reservations” about the precedent expelling Santos may set without a criminal conviction, but said members should vote their conscience.
The expulsion takes effect immediately, and narrows Republicans’ already thin majority in the House.
Santos has said he would wear his expulsion “like a badge of honor.”
Rep. George Santos holds a news conference outside the U.S. Capitol on Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023. Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
“We live in times where political expedience is more important than process,” he said last week. “Due process is dead. Due process has evaporated.”
The allegations against Santos
Santos’ surprise victory in the 2022 midterm elections helped Republicans capture control of the House, but he quickly became an embarrassment for the party when he was found to have fabricated or exaggerated large portions of his biography.
He also attracted the attention of federal investigators, who charged him with fraud, money laundering and other crimes in May. The scope of the case expanded in October, when he was hit with more charges accusing him of stealing his campaign donors’ identities and racking up thousands of dollars in unauthorized charges on their credit cards, falsifying campaign finance reports, money laundering and more. He has pleaded not guilty to all 23 federal charges he now faces.
The Ethics Committee began its own investigation in the spring, and on Nov. 16 released a scathing 56-page report that detailed a broad array of alleged misconduct. According to investigators, Santos allegedly stole money from his campaign, reported fictitious loans, deceived donors and engaged in fraudulent business dealings.
The situation, the report said, “is unprecedented in many respects.”
“While it is not uncommon for Committee investigations to involve multiple allegations and a pattern of misconduct, the sheer scope of the violations at issue here is highly unusual and damning,” it said.
According to the report, Santos funneled large sums of money through his campaign and businesses to pay for his personal expenses. Investigators said he used the funds to pay for Botox injections and make purchases at high-end stores like Hermès and Ferragamo. They said he used campaign money to make payments on the adult website OnlyFans, and for meals, parking, travel and rent. He also allegedly diverted money to pay down his personal credit cards.
Santos “sustained all of this through a constant series of lies to his constituents, donors, and staff about his background and experience,” the report said, adding that “his misrepresentations and lack of transparency have continued during his tenure in Congress.”
Noting the slew of embellishments that Santos repeatedly made about his education, career, family history and even the death of his mother, investigators said his “own campaign staff viewed him as a ‘fabulist,’ whose penchant for telling lies was so concerning that he was encouraged to seek treatment.”
Investigators also alleged Santos repeatedly ignored his staffers’ warnings about issues with his campaign’s bookkeeping. His campaign’s ex-treasurer, Nancy Marks, pleaded guilty in October to a scheme to embellish his campaign finance reports. While Santos has blamed Marks for the campaign finance violations, investigators said Santos “was aware of how she was reporting personal loans” and “he was actively involved in the campaign’s day-to-day finances.”
The effort to expel Santos
The third attempt to expel Santos came just weeks after he survived a second effort to oust him from Congress.
In May, Santos withstood his first expulsion attempt, when Democrats sought to remove him from Congress after he was first charged. Republicans blocked that effort and instead referred the matter to the Ethics Committee.
Five GOP lawmakers from the Empire State — all facing competitive races next year — renewed the effort to expel him in October after he was hit with more charges, calling it a “moral” issue that transcended short-term political considerations. But the vote fell short of the two-thirds majority needed under the Constitution to oust a member, since most Republicans and 31 Democrats withheld support for punishing him while the Ethics Committee investigation and his criminal trial proceeded.
The release of the Ethics Committee report opened the floodgates for lawmakers to embrace expelling Santos. Republican Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, the chairman of the Ethics Committee, introduced a resolution to oust him before lawmakers left Washington for Thanksgiving. Once the House returned, Rep. Robert Garcia, a Democrat from California, introduced a separate resolution as “privileged,” meaning the House would be required to vote on it within two days.
“This forces a vote this week,” Garcia told reporters Tuesday, saying he had doubts that Republicans would actually move forward with a vote on Guest’s resolution.
But Republicans did move forward. GOP Rep. Anthony D’Esposito of New York brought up Guest’s resolution as privileged, and a vote was scheduled for Friday.
“This is bullying,” Santos said Thursday of Guest’s measure.
Pennsylvania Rep. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the Ethics Committee, said later Thursday that Santos “is not a victim.”
“He is a perpetrator of a massive fraud on his constituents and the American people,” she said.
Santos had long rebuffed calls to resign. Doing so before the vote, he said, would amount to him admitting to the allegations detailed in the Ethics Committee’s report while also giving his colleagues an out.
“I hear a lot the line, ‘I encourage Rep. Santos to resign. Do the right thing, which is resign.’ What I hear is people don’t want to take this vote,” Santos said Thursday.
One day after the report’s release, he said he would not run for reelection in 2024 after all.
His criminal trial is set to begin Sept. 9.
Caitlin Yilek
Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at cbsnews.com and is based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.