Attack on a gay club in Moscow

On October 11, 2012 in Moscow, a group of skinheaded young men attacked the gay club 7freeday, located on Milyutinsky Lane.

The club was celebrating the International Day of Coming Out (“open and voluntary recognition by a person of belonging to a sexual or gender minority”) when a group of young people with hoods up burst in. Upon entering the club, they threatened security with a pistol. The attackers' faces were covered with medical masks or bandanas. Some had traumatic pistols in their hands. One of the young men put a gun to the girl bartender's head. The attackers shouted, “ Did you order a pogrom? Get it, ” and began smashing bottles, throwing tables and beating visitors.

As a result, the furniture in the main hall and the DJ set were broken.

Partygoers said three people were injured and taken away in an ambulance, while the rest were treated on the spot. One girl suffered an eye injury, another was diagnosed with a concussion. The remaining participants received injuries from small fragments, severe bruises on their arms, legs, and faces. According to an eyewitness, “ the raiders did not use knives, bats or brass knuckles, nor did they fire pistols, they only made threats .”

The attackers, at the command of one of them, suddenly left. The party participants called the police. It was not possible to detain anyone in hot pursuit. Outdoor surveillance cameras recorded the faces of some of the attackers who had not yet put on masks.

The press service of the Main Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia for Moscow stated that the attackers were no more than five to seven people. According to preliminary information, four people were injured and are writing statements. Three wounded were hospitalized.

The victims believe that the action was carefully planned, since “ they had every minute and second checked. They understood that if the “panic button” was pressed, the squad should arrive immediately .”

It is reported that threats of pogroms are periodically received by any organizing committee of sexual minorities through social networks.

A similar attack occurred at the Sharm club on Dubininskaya Street.

On October 14, 2012, a new attack occurred near the same club. When Spanish actor Josue Vargas and his 40-year-old French boyfriend Sebastian Brouet left the club, unknown people started a verbal altercation with them, which escalated into a fight. Foreigners are sure that the conflict occurred because of their sexual orientation. The victims have bruises and contusions. The men filed a complaint with the police.

Sources

• In Moscow, unknown persons destroyed a club where an LGBT party was taking place // Gazeta.ru. 2012. October 12.
• Gay pogrom in Moscow: dozens of nationalists attacked the club // Newsru.com. 2012. October 11.
• Two foreigners were beaten near a gay club in the center of Moscow // Interfax. 2012. October 15.