Crime Blotter: No Kissing in Moscow

ByABC News
December 3, 2003, 5:26 PM

— -- Russians may have to take a "don't kiss, don't tell" approach to smooching; a Los Angeles police officer who says he was assigned to track celebrity stalkers apparently became a little too starstruck; and a karaoke performer almost finds out what it's like to be John Wayne Bobbitt. Check out this week's edition of the Crime Blotter.

Death to Smoochy

M O S C O W In Moscow, it could soon be a crime to kiss and tell.

City authorities reportedly are consideringbans on public displays of affection as part of an effort to "improve morals" in the Russian capital. Government authorities are working on an order that would prohibit kissing in subways and other public places, the newspaperStolichnaya Vechernyaya Gazeta reported on its Web site. The ban was being considered at the request of police and thecity's education committee.

"Children do not need any sexual education classes in school they get amoral lessons every day when they see what goes onaround them," the newspaper quoted committee member TatyanaMaximova as saying. "People are making out even on the escalatorin the metro. Something must be done about this."

Long, slow escalators leading down to Moscow's subway platforms are usually ideal places for couples to lock lips theyallow people to gaze directly into eachother's eyes.

According to Stolichnaya Vechernyaya Gazeta, fines for violating the ban, if it is adopted, would range from 300 to 500 rubles(US $10 to US $17). And if the kissing couples are short on cash, police could hold them at the precinct until someone pays their fine

The ban would also target other potentially offensive public behavior, such as drinking alcohol, loud cursing, drunkenness and spitting.

City officials and police were not immediately available for comment, but prominent human rights activist Valeriya Novodvorskaya criticized the potential moratorium.She said a kissing ban would be "Orwellian" and vowed to violate itas often as possible if it is enacted.