Georgian social media users flagged Russian disinformation in action on Monday, when the Kremlin-funded news network Sputnik International ran a story about Georgia updating its domestic violence laws to EU standards with the headline, “In Georgia lesbianism and sodomy might be permitted.”

On the eve of getting visa-free travel to Europe, Georgia has updated its legislation on sexual assault, removing “sodomy, lesbianism” and “other perverted sexual contact” from its definition but Sputnik presented the updated laws against sexual and domestic violence as encouragement of homosexuality coming from Europe.

Ever since Vladimir Putin positioned himself as a protector of “traditional values” around the world, the narrative of a “morally corrupted” West that promotes homosexuality and erodes families has been a common theme for pro-Kremlin news sites.

Sputnik’s original headline was “In Georgia lesbianism and sodomy might be permitted.”
Sputnik then redacted its original headline, replacing it with a more neutral, “In Georgia female circumcision may be banned.”

Within this theme domestic violence is a new hot topic: Russia recently passed a law that actually decriminalizes domestic violence and in Armenia legislation meant to strengthen laws against domestic abuse was scrapped for being too “European.” Human rights groups in Armenia blamed pro-Russian forces and media for influencing parliament’s decision to drop the bill.