The editor-in-chief of Sport24, Samvel Avakyan, has been fined 200,000 roubles (approx. US$2,250) under the article on LGBTQ propaganda in the media or online (Part 3, Article 6.21 of the Code of Administrative Offences). This was reported by TASS.
The decision was made by the magistrate of judicial precinct No. 374 in Moscow’s Tagansky district. Avakyan was held responsible as an official. In the same court, another case against Avakyan has been scheduled for 29 July—this time under the article on LGBTQ propaganda among minors (Part 4, Article 6.21 of the Code of Administrative Offences).
14 July The reason for the fine against the Sport24 editor-in-chief was a news story about the coming out of Czech speed skater Martina Sablikova, who spoke about her relationship with Nicola Zdrahalova, another athlete from the national team. This was reported by Verstka, which drew attention to the published court ruling.
“The information in the article is presented exclusively in a positive light, indicating that the athletes have been in a relationship (as a couple) for a long time, they are happy together, and share a wonderful life. The content is such that it creates a socio-psychological attitude not only of approval for non-traditional sexual relationships but also forms a distorted idea of the social equivalence of traditional and non-traditional sexual relationships,” the court decision states.
The document also references an assessment by the “Main Radio Frequency Centre” under Roskomnadzor, which concluded that the material contains “information promoting non-traditional sexual relationships and/or preferences.”
The news story on the Sport24 website was published in April 2025. It has now been removed. Avakyan, through his representatives, told the court he does not admit guilt.
Asya Sokolova for OVD-Info
The adoption of the “LGBT propaganda” law marked not only widespread censorship but also intensified repression against LGBTQ people and the organisations that support them. With the designation of the “International LGBT Movement” as an “extremist organisation,” this pressure has increased once again.
Search
