Gay rights demo in Moscow blocked by police

By Staff Writer, PinkNews.co.uk • June 27, 2007 - 16:10

The protestors wanted the EU to ban the Moscow Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, from travelling in Europe. photo: rich moffitt@flickr.com

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More than 20 people who wanted to protest outside the EU's offices in Moscow have been stopped by police, despite the fact that the demonstration had been sanctioned.

Officers said that they decided the protest would interfere with nearby building work.

"Authorities in Moscow have broken the law again by not allowing our picket," said activist Alexey Davydov told AP.

The protestors wanted the EU to ban the Moscow Mayor, Yuri Luzhkov, from travelling in Europe.

The mayor has banned Moscow Pride for two years running, and has vowed never to allow homosexuals to parade in the city, calling them "Satanic."

Last month, when activists tried to deliver a letter of protest to his office, they were pelted with eggs and assaulted by a small mob of anti-gay Russians.

Several were arrested and prosecuted for minor offences.

Earlier this week Mr Luzhkov received the official backing of President Putin for his fifth term in office.

The City Duma holds a special meeting today to approve his nomination today.

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