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Russia bans Elton John’s Aids foundation to defend ‘spiritual and moral values’
Russia accuses foundation of participating in a Western campaign to ‘denigrate Russia’
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Russia’s general prosecutor on Thursday banned the activities of the Elton John Aids Foundation, accusing it of taking a negative stance towards countries such as Russia that protect “traditional spiritual and moral values”.
The prosecutor’s office said its ban specifically applied to two non-governmental organisations, one registered in the United States and the other in Britain, both of them called the “Elton John Aids Foundation”. Both were officially designated as “undesirable organisations”, it said.
Being classified as an undesirable organisation in Russia was equivalent to a ban.
The Aids foundation was set up by the gay British singer and songwriter who in the past has given sell-out concerts in Russia and has spoken out against what he has said is unacceptable discrimination against LGBTQ people by the Russian authorities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has rejected such assertions. He has cast Russia as a bastion of “traditional values” locked in an existential struggle with a decadent West.
The Elton John Aids Foundation said it was “devastated” by the decision, which it said would prevent it from providing life-saving care to people living with HIV in Russia.
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