Support The Moscow Times!

Ethics Committee Dismisses Sexual Harassment Claims Against Duma Deputy Slutsky

Leonid Slutsky Sergei Fadeichev / TASS

The State Duma’s ethics committee has dismissed sexual harassment accusations against Leonid Slutsky, saying the allegations may have been coordinated to tarnish the Duma deputy.

At least five reporters and a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman have accused Slutsky of inappropriate behavior since February. Slutsky, head of the Duma’s foreign affairs committee who had denied the allegations, issued an apology on Women’s Day March 8.

“Committee members point to the fact that the accusers voiced claims against Slutsky virtually at the same time during the presidential elections,” Interfax quoted Otari Arshba, the head of the Duma ethics committee, as saying Wednesday. 

On Women’s Day, Russian Lawmaker Slutsky Apologizes for Sexual Harassment

The committee said it wasn’t capable of evaluating the audio recordings of the incident in possession of one of the journalists, Interfax reported

Slutsky reportedly arrived at the closed-door hearings 45 minutes late, after his accusers left.

The five named and anonymous accusers, at least one of whom said she had recorded the upsetting encounter with Slutsky, can still file charges against the lawmaker, the Vedomosti business daily reported.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more