Male State: Russia bans group for anti-women and anti-gay posts

A Russian court has banned as “extremist” a social media movement called Male State, for inciting hatred of women and gay people.

Last week YouTube and the messaging service Telegram blocked access to channels run by Male State’s founder, Vladislav Pozdnyakov.

The group, set up in 2016, has attracted thousands of followers. They initially organised on Vkontakte (VK), a Russian equivalent of Facebook.

Pozdnyakov is said to be now abroad.