A Russian music channel has been fined for displaying LGBT propaganda by airing a music video by popular pro-war singer Nikolai Baskov, the independent Vyorstka news website reported Wednesday.Moscows Tagansky District Court determined that the video for Baskovs 2012 single Strannik (Wanderer), which depicts an imagined orgy in the Roman Empire, contains signs of a romantic interpersonal relationship between the videos protagonist and another man.The court found the entertainment channel Tochka TVguilty of LGBT propaganda and fined it 1 million rubles ($11,000), according to Vyorstka.The judge explained the ruling by stating that the protagonists jealousy is not toward a female, but a male who has cheated on the protagonist with a female.The court added that the video takes place against the backdrop of an atmosphere of hedonism and debauchery, which it said is realized primarily through repeated scenes of non-verbal sensory interaction between two persons of the same biological sex (female) in a sexual context.Baskov, 47, has regularly defended Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, describing it as the end of genocide and the prevention of an attack on Russia.He was among several Russian singers who pledged to pay a 1-million-ruble reward to soldiers who destroyed Western-made tanks in Ukraine.President Vladimir Putinawarded Baskov the Order of Honor in October for merits in the advancement of national culture and art.LGBT rights have gradually eroded in the decade since Putin signed a law banning LGBT propaganda toward minors in 2013.
Last year, Russia expanded the law to ban LGBT propaganda aimed at any age.Russias Supreme Court this month banned the so-called international LGBT movement which does not formally exist on claims of extremism.Individuals face a maximum of six years in prison if convicted of involvement in an extremist organization.