LGBT bar in Russia’s Krasnoyarsk announces closure following police raids and public accusations from censorship activist Ekaterina Mizulina

Elton, a queer bar in the Russian city of Krasnoyarsk, has announced its closing after anti-LGBT censorship activist Ekaterina Mizulina publicly accused it of hosting a “provocative party” and reported it to the authorities.

“When there’s an ongoing hate campaign, essentially encouraging clashes between one group of the country’s citizens with another, we cannot guarantee your safety or the safety of our staff,” a local news outlet quoted the bar’s management as saying.

The bar’s owner confirmed its closure to journalists on Monday, saying he had received “hints” from law enforcement that the bar would not be allowed to continue operating.

In late December, the Telegram channel Mash reported that the authorities had raided Elton and arrested all of the men in the establishment. According to bar employees, police interrogated the men about a missing person who had allegedly visited the bar before he disappeared. In early February, a local district court charged the bar with spreading “LGBT propaganda.”

On February 24, Ekaterina Mizulina wrote on Telegram that Elton was “not only still open but also held a provocative party on Defender of the Fatherland Day” and posted a video that showed a drag queen performing at the bar. She vowed to report the “situation” to the authorities. The following day, police raided the bar and arrested 12 people.