Here’s what the LGBT community will face after being recognized “extremist” in Russia — a lawyer explains

On November 30, following a motion from the Ministry of Justice, Russia’s Supreme Court declared the “international LGBT movement” extremist, effectively banning it nationwide and putting it on a par with the likes of Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Ironically, such an organization does not exist. More precisely, it didn't exist until recently — while the court was considering the case, activists registered a legal entity under the name so that only they, rather than all LGBT people in Russia, would be recognized as extremist.

Meanwhile, no one has yet seen the original motion by the Department of Justice or the ruling by the Supreme Court. It is unclear what exactly will now be considered extremism, and how a person can be recognized as part of this “international movement” is also unknown. Hardly anyone understands what awaits human rights organisations that help members of the LGBT community in Russia. Lawyer Maxim Olenichev, who specialises in LGBT rights and works for the legal aid group Perviy Otdel, helped answer some of the key questions.