RUSSIAN GAYS SUE PRESIDENT

Organisers of Moscow Pride have filed a lawsuit against Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, accusing him of ignoring pleas to overturn the city’s ban on their parade.

Moscow Pride had originally been planned for May 31, but Mayor Yury Luzhkov refused to grant a permit, resulting in Pride organisers holding brief protests and sending a letter of complaint to President Medvedev on May 16.

Nikolay Alexeyev, Moscow Pride spokesperson stated that the President has yet to reply. The lawsuit, filed yesterday, accuses Medvedev of breaking Russian law that requires the President to reply to appeals within 30 days of their application.

“Russian authorities talk a lot about the necessity to follow the law and at the same time they did not learn how to do it themselves. But they demand it from their citizens,” said Alexeyev.

Moscow mayor, Yury Luzhkov has been a vocal opponent of the event, also banning the marches in 2006 and 2007. After the banning last year, the march still took place, with about 20 people arrested, including Alexeyev who was later fined approximately 40 dollars.

Last week, the event organisers asked the European Court of Human Rights for monetary compensation from the city of Moscow over the cancellation of last year’s pride celebrations.

In similar cases brought forward by gays from other European cities where Pride parades were barred, the court has ruled for the LGBT groups.