Support The Moscow Times!

LDPR Leader Zhirinovsky Condemned for Tirade Against Pregnant Reporter

Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the Liberal Democratic Party, or LDPR.

The State Duma's ethics committee will investigate Liberal Democratic Party leader Vladimir Zhirinovsky after the firebrand politician directed a particularly crude and offensive outburst at reporters on Friday.

After being asked whether Russia should retaliate against the travel restrictions placed on Russian men by Ukraine, Zhirinovsky went on a foul-mouthed tirade and ordered one of his aides to rape a pregnant reporter.

Several journalists rose to the woman's defense, prompting Zhirinovsky to call one of them a lesbian.

He also said that the woman should have stayed at home instead of working while pregnant.

The Duma's press pool sent a letter to Duma speaker Sergei Naryshkin demanding an inquiry into Zhirinovsky's actions.

Naryshkin condemned Zhirinovsky's behavior and apologized on his behalf, but the pregnant journalist's employer, Rossia Segodnya, has demanded a public apology from the LDPR chief.

Andrei Andreyev, head of the ethics committee, said that Zhirinovsky could be forced to apologize and may also be barred from speaking at the Duma for a month.

The committee will request that Zhirinovsky explain himself next week.

Zhirinovsky's spokesman, Yury Ryzhkov, told Kommersant that he partly blames himself for the incident, as it is his responsibility to control his boss's outbursts.

See also:

Putin Tells Zhirinovsky to 'Tone it Down'

Zhirinovsky Warns Children Against Homosexuality

Poland Rejects Zhirinovsky's Proposal as Product of 'Sick Mind'

Zhirinovsky Says 'Love Is Death' in Valentine's Day Rant

Read more