A Russian man, Andrei Kotov, who was arrested for allegedly running a travel agency catering to LGBTQ+ customers, has been found dead in custody in Moscow, as reported by rights group OVD-Info.

Kotov, the director of the “Men Travel” agency, faced serious charges related to “organizing extremist activity and participating in it”. An investigator informed Kotov’s lawyer that he died by suicide while in pretrial detention, discovered unresponsive in his cell early Sunday.

Before his tragic death, independent media outlet Mediazona had reported that Kotov strongly denied the charges against him. He also alleged that he was subjected to physical abuse, including beatings and electric shocks from law enforcement officers during his arrest.

The crackdown on LGBTQ+ rights in Russia has escalated following a ruling by the Supreme Court over a year ago, effectively criminalizing any form of LGBTQ+ activism. This ruling classified the international LGBTQ+ movement as extremist, creating a perilous atmosphere for individuals associated with the community. Particularly since the Kremlin's military actions in Ukraine, the LGBTQ+ community has faced intensified legal and societal pressures, including restrictive legislation signed by President Vladimir Putin.

According to human rights organizations, the current environment in Russia poses significant risks to those advocating for or associated with LGBTQ+ rights, subjecting them to potential criminal prosecution.