Police Raids at Yekaterinburg Nightclubs Stir Debate
Two well known venues in Yekaterinburg, Mono and Arma, the latter formerly known as Mutabor, became the focus of police action. A Telegram channel named Attention, news reported the events and connected visitors to the venues with accounts from those who had attended. The description of the day places officers at Mono around 1:30 pm, where patrons were moved toward waiting transport vehicles. At Arma, guests were instructed to lie face down on the floor as law enforcement moved through the crowd. The report notes that the raids occurred amid plans for themed parties and a mask show scheduled for the evening of November 30. It also mentioned a Delta party slated for the Old Mutabor site. The source did not provide a clear, official reason for the raids in that report.
In late October, city authorities conducted checks at several nightclubs and performed background screenings on men. Dozens of officers conducted nighttime raids, guiding attendees toward the exits. Eyewitnesses reported that women were released while men had their documents photographed. Accounts from participants and onlookers described crowded spaces being subdued, with some attendees, including migrants and minors, reportedly detained near a Duty Free area. Balaclava-clad officers were described as moving assertively, sometimes pushing individuals who appeared unaware of what was happening.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs stated that the aim of these actions was to uphold public order, uncover crimes, and prevent offences through preventive measures.
Earlier, police explained the reasons behind visits to a BDSM-themed party in Yekaterinburg, framing them within the broader context of maintaining safety and investigating possible violations.