The State Duma’s Ethics Commission says it will start reviewing sexual harassment allegations against deputy Leonid Slutsky by March 22. According to the commission’s chairman, Otari Arshba, the hearing will be closed to the public, though this isn’t required. He says he plans to invite Slutsky's accusers to testify against him.
So far, three journalists have openly accused Slutsky of inappropriate sexual advances, and one of these women — BBC reporter Farida Rustamova — has an audio recording of her encounter with him.
Leonid Who?
If you’ve been following Meduza’s coverage of this scandal, you know that Slutsky mocks the allegations against him. His colleagues in the State Duma, meanwhile, have generally defended him. Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin initially said the charges worried him, but later told journalists to find new jobs, if they feel threatened at the parliament.
For more on the Slutsky scandal
- Leonid Slutsky must resign from the State Duma An editorial by Meduza
- Another journalist comes forward about State Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky's sexual harassment, and she's got an audio recording
- The speaker of the State Duma told women reporters to find new jobs if they feel ‘threatened’ by sexual harassment at Russia's parliament
- Several Russian journalists say a federal lawmaker sexually harassed them. What's their legal recourse?