Moscow's audacious 'almost naked' party scandal rocks under Putin's gaze

Anastazja Iwlejewa has recently been central to Moscow's most sensational scandal. As an influencer and TV presenter, she organized a provocative "almost naked" party that grabbed the attention of Russia's elite right under Putin's watchful eye. The judicial system has shown no leniency towards her actions.

On December 20, 2023, Club Mutabor became Moscow's focal point, hosting a gathering of prominent figures from the Russian entertainment industry. The only stipulation for attendance was that guests should be almost naked. Some attendees embraced this directive with gusto, including a rapper who arrived adorned with nothing more than a sock.

The event's photos swiftly circulated online, sparking widespread outrage. Anastazja Iwlejewa, the mastermind behind this audacious party, became the primary target of criticism. Patriotic Russian activists, incensed by the flagrant display of debauchery in Moscow's core, initiated a lawsuit against Iwlejewa, demanding 1 billion rubles (approximately £10 million) in compensation for moral damages.

In the days following the boisterous party, Iwlejewa and several other participants issued self-criticism and apologies. She reflected that the event’s controversial aspects should have remained private, expressing regret over the turn of events yet acknowledging her inability to control the situation.

The scandal's repercussions continue to haunt the Russian influencer. Reports from zona.media indicate that a court case has been filed against Iwlejewa in the Tverskoy District Court of Moscow, charging her with "discrediting the army." The hearing is set for April 25.

Interestingly, the charges don't stem directly from the infamous gathering at Club Mutabor but are linked to her social media activity between February and March 2022. Iwlejewa shared posts that clearly showed her opposition to Russia's military actions in Ukraine, including imagery promoting peace between the two nations and calling for an end to hostilities.

Unsurprisingly, the resurgence of these posts—two years after the invasion—appears connected to the "almost naked" party scandal, suggesting an ulterior motive behind its abrupt recall. According to Bielsat, Russian officials have even described the contentious event as a covert US military operation intended to undermine the Russian elite.