RUSSIANS CONVICTED OF PROMOTING HOMOSEXUALITY

Two Russian activists, Nikolai Baev and Irina Fet, organisers of Moscow Pride, have been convicted of promoting homosexuality to minors, which is a criminal offense in the Ryazan region in Russia.

They were arrested on Monday and were charged with “propaganda of homosexuality to minors” for carrying banners which read “Homosexuality is normal” and “I am proud of my homosexuality” in front of a school and a library.

The duo, who wanted to show that the law was unconstitutional, was fined 1,500 Rubles each by the court.

“In many other countries, homosexuality is explained at schools. In Russia it’s different,” Fet said, defending their actions.

“We came here to denounce a law which is not only homophobic but which is also against the Constitution of this country,” said Nikolai Alekseev, another activist who attended the protest but was not charged. “

The activists intend to file a complaint with the Russian Constitutional Court to have the law overturned.