Russian Pol Tells Aides to 'Violently Rape' Journalist

A longtime Russian politician is facing sanctions after a pretty staggering outburst against a pregnant journalist. In an exchange caught by cameras, Vladimir Zhirinovsky, leader of the nationalist Liberal Democratic Party, told aides to "violently rape" Russia Today reporter Stella Dubovitskaya. After Dubovitskaya asked about a ban on Russian men entering Ukraine, Zhirinovsky ranted about female politicians in Ukraine, whom he said were subject to "uterine frenzy," or nymphomania, reports Russia Today.

After learning Dubovitskaya was pregnant, Zhirinovsky said, "Pregnant women should not show up at work. Sit at home and look after your child, got that?" He continued to his aides, per the Independent: "When I say, you run to her and violently rape her." When another reporter challenged him, he asked, "What are you doing intervening here, you lesbian?" Now, the state Duma could ban Zhirinovsky from public speaking for three months, and Russia Today says it might take legal action after the "disgusting incident," says its general director. Dubovitskaya "was hospitalized because of Vladimir Zhirinovsky’s discourtesy," the director notes, per the Daily Mail. Zhirinovsky issued a pseudo-apology last night, saying he'd spoken "a bit rudely," and he was sorry if he "happened to offend someone." (More Vladimir Zhirinovsky stories.)