Russian police raid private BDSM party in Yekaterinburg

On the evening of February 4, Russian police raided the Fabrika club in the city of Yekaterinburg, which was hosting a private BDSM party called Blue Velvet, reports local news outlet It’s My City.

According to the outlet, the private party’s location was only shared with the event attendees, tickets had to be purchased in advance, and the number of spaces was limited.

Valery Gorelykh, the Interior Ministry’s spokesperson for the Sverdlovsk region, told news outlet RBC that Yekaterinburg police conducted a “standard, planned, precautionary raid,” together with personnel from other law enforcement agencies. According to Gorelykh, the raid was aimed at “stabilizing the operational situation” in the city.

Approximately 270 people were checked during the raid, according to Gorelykh. Three people who refused medical examination received administrative penalties for “consumption of narcotic or psychoactive substances.” The police also initiated administrative cases for failing to exercise parental duties for two unattended minors. Traffic police also filed 10 charges.

“The results of the raid are being analyzed to take responsive measures regarding the organization itself,” stated the Interior Ministry spokesperson, commenting on the raid.

RBC wrote that Blue Velvet is a BDSM party which has been held in Yekaterinburg over 30 times. According to It’s My City, the event’s organizer was fined 15,000 rubles (around $165) in 2020 for hosting a party which violated COVID-19 restrictions.

In December 2023, Local police, OMON riot police, and canine units raided an LGBTQ+ club in Yekaterinburg during an event.