Russia arrests trans activist for 'high treason'
The Hindu
In a video of the arrest made by the FSB and shared by Russian state media, the suspect is seen being pinned against a wall by armed men in fatigues. The suspect is heard calling out for help, before being handcuffed and bundled into a van.
Russia's security service said Thursday it had arrested a transgender rights activist accused of "high treason" for supporting Ukraine, as lawmakers backed a bill banning gender transitions.
Authorities "stopped the illegal activities of a Russian citizen, resident of the Oryol region, involved in high treason for providing financial aid to the armed forces of Ukraine", the FSB security service said in a statement.
In a video of the arrest made by the FSB and shared by Russian state media, the suspect is seen being pinned against a wall by armed men in fatigues.
The suspect is heard calling out for help, before being handcuffed and bundled into a van.
According to the FSB, the detainee was a transgender man working for rights monitoring group OVD-Info.
The individual was accused of arranging transfers of money to organisations in Ukraine "in order to finance" the Ukrainian army.