For those who are interested in Russian affairs

Following viewing the highlights of this event on TV few hours ago,
here is an article:

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/europe/article1847818.ece

British gay rights activist arrested in MoscowTony Halpin, in Moscow
for The Times
Police arrested Russian gay rights activists and British campaigner
Peter Tatchell today as they attempted to stage a banned demonstration
in Moscow.

Hundreds of ultra-nationalists hurled abuse and attacked the few dozen
gay protestors who had gathered outside the office of the Mayor of
Moscow, Yuri Luzhkov, to mark the 14th anniversary of Russia's
decriminalisation of homosexuality.

Mr Tatchell was punched in the head in front of police and journalists
and another protestor was left bleeding from his face after an
assault. Riot police eventually moved in to separate the two groups
and arrested several far-right protestors.

Nikolai Alexeyev, the organiser of the gay march, and several other
protestors, including a German MP, were arrested as they attempted to
present a letter to the Mayor's office signed by scores of European
parliamentarians supporting their right to demonstrate.

City authorities had banned the Gay Pride demonstration, which Mr
Luzhkov had described as "Satanic". An official claimed that it posed
a threat to public order.

The event attracted fewer people than a similar banned parade last
year, when more than 100 were arrested and dozens of gay rights
campaigners were attacked by skinheads shouting "Moscow is not
Sodom".

Russia's gay community had been divided over the decision to press
ahead this time, with some arguing that it succeeded only in stirring
up public hatred towards them.

Around 500 people backed by nationalist groups and the Russian
Orthodox Church had demonstrated against homosexuality in Moscow on
Saturday. Public opinion in Russia is strongly against homosexuals and
one poll last week by Moscow's Levada Centre showed that 81 per cent
supported the ban on gay parades.

.

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