Gay activists arrested in Moscow
September 22nd, 2010 - 12:44 am ICT by IANSMoscow, Sep 21 (DPA) At least ten gay activists protesting against the anti-homosexual stance of Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov have been arrested, police told interfax news agency Tuesday.
One of those in custody is the head of a Gay Rights Association, Nikolai Alexeyev. The 32-year was recently held for days without charge by security forces.
The activists had earlier tied themselves with handcuffs to a railing, and shouted slogans protesting at the mayor’s views.
The protest was not authorised by police.
Luzhkov has repeatedly banned gay rights marches in the Russian capital, and described homosexual acts as “satanic”.
Although homosexuality is not illegal in Russia, it is taboo among certain parts of society due to the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church.
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Tags: dpa, gay activists, gay rights association, handcuffs, homosexual acts, homosexuality, marches, moscow mayor, news agency, nikolai, protest, railing, russia, russian capital, russian orthodox church, satanic, security forces, slogans, yuri luzhkov