Russian LGBT activists arrested ahead of Winter Olympics opening ceremony
Four LGBT campaigners in the Russian city of St Petersburg have been arrested.
The incident comes just hours ahead of the start of the Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Sochi.
According to the Russian LGBT Network, four activists, including one pregnant woman, were arrested on Friday.
The network says the activists were making photos with a banner “Discrimination is incompatible with the Olympic Movement. Principle 6. Olympic Charter”.
Two of those arrested have been named as Anastasiya Smirnova and Aleksandra Semenova.
Russian leaders have attempted to play down fears that athletes and spectators could be prosecuted for speaking out on LGBT rights.
Reiterating last month’s comments by President Vladimir Putin, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak this week warned gay people to “leave the kids alone.”
