Ivan Bogdel (Khaitbaev) is a political prisoner

A fashion stylist and owner of the Voronezh nightclub Zebra faces two charges under anti-extremism laws, related to the ‘LGBT movement’

The ‘Political Prisoners. Memorial’ human rights project, in accordance with international standards, considers Ivan Bogdel (Khaitbaev) a political prisoner. Bogdel is being prosecuted on charges of organising the activities of an extremist organisation and participating in such an organisation. Bogdel’s criminal prosecution violates his right to a fair trial. We demand the release of Ivan Bogdel and that all criminal charges against him be dropped.

Who is Ivan Bogdel and what are the charges against him?

Ivan Bogdel (Khaitbaev) is a fashion stylist and owner of an image studio. In 2020, he opened the Zebra nightclub in Voronezh.

On 22 November 2024, law enforcement officers raided a party at the Zebra nightclub, detaining more than 40 people, including Bogdel. He was charged with organising the activities of an extremist organisation (Article 282.2, Part 1, of the Russian Criminal Code) and participating in such an organisation (Article 282.2, Part 2, of the Russian Criminal Code). According to the authorities, Bogdel is allegedly connected to the International Non-Governmental LGBT Movement, which the Russian authorities have designated as extremist.

Bogdel was initially placed under house arrest, but on 29 November he was remanded in custody. He faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted as charged.

Why do we consider Ivan Bogdel a political prisoner?

We consider the Russian Supreme Court’s decision to declare the ‘International Non-governmental LGBT Movement’ extremist unlawful, since no such organisation exists. Human rights defenders have previously warned that this decision lays the groundwork for the persecution of LGBT+ activists and organisations defending LGBT+ people. Bogdel’s case demonstrates that even people simply organising social spaces for all, including LGBT+ people, can be accused of involvement in this non-existent movement.

In Bogdel’s case, there is no criminal offence, and not even an event that could constitute a crime. Even under the unlawful Supreme Court ruling, ‘LGBT extremism’ refers specifically to the work of activists defending LGBT people’s rights. The criminal prosecution of Bogdel arose solely because his nightclub was attended by people of different sexual orientations and featured performances by drag artists.

We consider that placing Bogdel in custody causes him additional suffering and threatens his safety.

A detailed description of Ivan Bogdel’s case and of our position is available on our website.

How can you help?

You can write to Ivan Bogdel at the following address:

RU:
394062, г. Воронеж, ул. Антокольского, д. 6, ФКУ СИЗО-3 УФСИН России по Воронежской области, Хайтбаев Иван Мударисович, 1996 г. р.

EN:

Ivan Mudarisovich Kaitbaev (born 1996), Federal Penitentiary Service of Russia for Voronezh Oblast, Remand Centre No. 3, 6 Ulitsa Antokolskogo, Voronezh, 394062, Russia

You can also send emails via F-Pismo (for payment with Russian bank cards), ZT (for payment with all bank cards), and Memorial-France (free of charge).

Please note that letters in languages other than Russian are highly unlikely to reach the intended recipient.

You can donate to help all political prisoners in Russia.