A scandal involving a Russian rapper's risqu party has sparked outrage, leading to threats of conscription for the artist to serve on the Ukrainian front lines as retribution.
Anastasia Ivleeva, a 32-year-old Instagram influencer, hosted a controversial "almost naked" party at Moscow's Mutabor nightclub on December 20, 2023. The event featured rapper Nikolai Vasilyev, 25, better known as Vacio, who was scantily clad in a Balenciaga sock, seemingly in homage to the iconic Red Hot Chili Peppers poster for their "Fight Like A Brave" single.
According to The Telegraph, Vasilyev was handed a 15-day jail sentence and a fine of 200,000 roubles ($2,258) for promoting "non-traditional sexual relations" at the event. Subsequently, he was ordered to report to a Moscow recruitment center. However, he failed to comply after receiving an additional 10-day jail sentence for petty hooliganism and disrespecting police officers.
The Russian tabloid Moskovsky Komsomolets reported that Vasilyev may be exempt from service due to an unspecified medical condition, potentially preventing him from ever reaching the Ukrainian front lines.
The event triggered a swift and severe backlash from Moscow's establishment, including state media and Orthodox Church groups. The scandal dominated Russian headlines for days, seemingly overshadowing news of inflation and rising food costs, as reported by Reuters.
Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, stated that the party "stained" its participants. Conservative politicians and talk show hosts called for punitive measures against the attendees, linking the incident to a broader crackdown on decadence amidst the ongoing offensive in Ukraine, which continues to suffer heavy losses.
Ivleeva, the host, is also potentially facing jail time as Russian officials have abruptly decided to investigate her tax affairs. A class-action lawsuit has been filed by dozens of people, seeking to compel Ivleeva to donate over $10 million to a pro-war charity.
A pro-Kremlin conservative commentator described the event as "cynical" during a time when "our guys are dying in the special military operation and many children are losing their fathers."
Prominent television propagandist Vladimir Solovyov, in a Telegram post, labeled the attendees as "beasts" and "scum," accusing them of indifference to the ongoing conflict, as reported by The Guardian.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is expected to win the upcoming March election, has reverted to extreme social conservatism. He has also intensified his crackdown on gay rights and encouraged families to have eight or more children.
Other celebrities who attended the "almost naked" party have faced repercussions, losing contracts for a major New Year's Eve televised event and being abandoned by sponsors. At least one celebrity was denied a role in an upcoming film.
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