Russian celebrities fined and jailed over ‘almost naked’ nightclub party
A Russian celebrity who sparked outrage by hosting a nightclub party with an “almost naked” dress code has been fined.
Anastasia Ivleeva, a TV presenter and influencer, put on the Christmastime do at the Mutabor venue in Moscow.
Given the country is on a war footing, the lavish event did not go down well with the public or authorities, with Vladimir Putin himself reportedly unamused.
Ivleeva was handed a 100,000-rouble (£870) fine during a court appearance in the Russian capital on Friday.
She had released two videos apologising for the party, one in which she tearfully pleaded for a “second chance”.
‘Moral damage’ lawsuit
They came after footage from the 20 December event showed her with an expensive chain around her backside, while other famous attendees also paraded around the dance floor.
Rapper Vacio, real name Nikolai Vasilyev, was seen with only a sock covering his modesty.
He has since been jailed for 15 days and fined 200,000 roubles.
According to Russian media, their antics were particularly unpopular with troops fighting in Ukraine.
A one-billion rouble lawsuit has been filed against Ivleeva from people who claim they suffered “moral damage” from seeing raunchy photos, and they want damages to be paid to a fund supporting Russian soldiers.
Citizens have been similarly outraged, given many are struggling with the wartime cost of living.
While Mr Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov refused to comment on the scandal, the Russian foreign ministry said those who took part had been “stained”.
It comes at a time when the president is doubling down on social conservatism ahead of March’s election.
He is expected to comfortably win another six-year term.