SpainIn Russia under Vladimir Putin, combating 'satanism' has become a state policy, driven by the powerful Russian Orthodox Church. This campaign serves as a vehicle for an ultra-conservative agenda aimed at suppressing identities and practices diverging from traditional Russian values. Last year, the non-existent 'International Satanic Movement' was banned, leading to fines for individuals with tattoos deemed malevolent, raids on heavy metal concerts, and bans on Halloween costume festivals. Patriarch Kirill has recently focused on tarot readers and psychics, accusing them of having 'diabolical power.' The label of satanism is also used to stigmatize the LGBTQ+ community and non-normative gender expressions, linking these to Western decadence. The war in Ukraine is portrayed as a holy war by the Orthodox Church, with Russian propaganda depicting Kyiv as the center of global evil and accusing Ukrainian soldiers of engaging in Satan worship. Legal rulings define satanism as extremist ideology promoting hatred towards traditional religions, with penalties ranging from fines to imprisonment. The fundamentalist group Sorok Sorokov claims a decrease in new adherents since the law's approval
Bias read (Left): The article critically examines the Russian government's use of anti-satanim laws as a tool for repression against non-traditional identities and practices, highlighting the role of the Russian Orthodox Church in advancing an ultra-conservative agenda. It frames the policies as part of a broader re-
