Russia's Foreign Ministry has criticized a number of foreign diplomats for supporting the Side By Side LGBT film festival in St. Petersburg, calling it “unacceptable,” the Interfax news agency reported Monday.
“We brought to the attention of the British Embassy in Moscow the fact that employees of the diplomatic mission are participating in an attempt to break down Russia's traditional, moral and family values, and this is unacceptable,” the Foreign Ministry's statement said, Interfax reported.
The statement was made after a request from a St. Petersburg deputy Vitaly Milonov — known for his conservative views. He requested that the ministry investigate the legality of foreign diplomats participating in the festival.
The ministry noted that the Norwegian and Swedish consulates and the Australian and Canadian embassies are also partners of the festival, Interfax reported.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.