GAY RUSSIANS ARRESTED IN MOSCOW

A small group of activists protesting against newly re-elected homophobic Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov were dispersed by police on Wednesday.

Around two dozen protesters were outside the city’s European Union office to demand that the EU ban Luzhkov from visiting European countries because of his clampdown on LGBT activity.

As the protesters attempted to unfurl a large banner, the police broke up the gathering and arrested two of the participants.

The demonstration had earlier been given the green light by officials, but police said they decided to stop the protest because it would interfere with nearby construction.

“Authorities in Moscow have broken the law again by not allowing our picket,” activist Alexey Davydov, told The Associated Press.

Mayor Luzhkov, who had just been handed his fifth term in office by the Moscow City Duma, has repeatedly banned Pride events from taking place in the capital. He has previously called gay Pride parades “Satanic.

At a protest against the bans, held in front of City Hall last month, a number of activists, including British gay rights figure Peter Tatchell, were beaten by right wing extremists, while police watched, and then arrested.

The Russian Courts recently ruled that the ban on Pride parades by Moscow officials was legitimate.