Putin “underwear” painting seized by Russian police

A painting showing Russian president in women’s underwear was seized by Russian police saying it broke the law.

16:34 28 August 2013

A painting by Konstantin Altunin that shows Russia’s president Vladimir Putin in women’s underwear was confiscated by the police claiming that it had broken the law.

It is understood in general that insulting authorities is illegal in Russia and that the offence carries a maximum one-year prison term.

The painting entitled Travesty shows President Putin brushing the hair of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev while he was wearing a tight-fitting slip. Meanwhile, the Prime Minister was wearing a bra and knickers in the same satirical display.

Police confiscated 'Travesty' on August 26th together with other several art installation from Muzei Vlasti in St. Petersburg. The items are said to be checked for extremist propaganda.

Alexander Donskoy, the gallery owner said that the police did not give him explanation when they removed the painting from “Leaders” exhibition. He added, as referred to in one report by the Daily Mail: 'This is an (illegal) seizure. We have been given no formal documents banning us from operating and no receipt confirming our petty cash was seized.”

St. Petersburg is one of the first cities in Russia to introduce law against spreading gay propaganda. In here, “spreading information about non-traditional sexual behaviour” is a crime to those who are under 18 years old.