Russian courts fine citizens 21 million rubles for LGBT propaganda in six months

The Judicial Department of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation has published statistics on administrative offenses for the first half of 2025. According to an analysis by the human rights project “Perviy Otdel” , Russian courts imposed fines totaling almost 21 million rubles under articles related to LGBT propaganda.

The statistics combine cases of LGBT and childfree propaganda (Article 6.21 of the Administrative Code), pedophilia propaganda (Article 6.21.1), and LGBT demonstration to minors (Article 6.21.2).

During the first six months of last year, 104 reports were submitted to the courts. Punishments were issued against 67 individuals and entities out of the reviewed cases. In 63 cases, courts imposed fines totaling 20,775,000 rubles. For decisions that entered into force, the amount was nearly 8 million rubles, of which about 875,000 rubles were collected by bailiffs.

In most cases (54), ordinary individuals were held liable. Punishments were also given to 7 legal entities and 6 officials. Over this period, courts issued only one warning and applied a reduced fine four times. Three citizens were given administrative arrests. Among those held liable were four foreign citizens, three of whom were deported.

According to the statistics, 15 women were among those punished, while the majority were men. The exact number of acquittals is not directly stated, but out of 92 reviewed reports, punishments were given to 67 individuals.