Gay rights protest in St Petersburg ends in clashes, arrests

Gay rights protest in St Petersburg ends in clashes, arrests

Gay rights protest in St Petersburg ends in clashes, arrests

Gay rights activists kiss as they are detained by police officers during a gay rights protest in St. Petersburg Oct. 12.

Police arrested 67 people after opponents of gay rights attacked LGBT rights activists at a demonstration in the Russian city of St Peterburg on Oct. 12. 

Gay rights campaigners in Russia have held several small protests since the adoption of a law in June banning homosexual "propaganda" directed at minors. Critics say the law curtails homosexuals' rights to free speech and assembly. 

The issue has attracted growing international attention ahead of Russia's hosting of the Winter Olympics in Sochi next year. Gay rights activists have called for participants and sponsors to boycott the games in protest at the law. 


They were far outnumbered by the anti-gay demonstrators, including several dressed as Cossacks and Orthodox priests, who had occupied the site of the planned demo. 



Another demonstrator called Maria told Reuters that when a pro-gay demonstrator tried to unfurl a rainbow-coloured flag, she was manhandled to the ground and the flag torn from her.

A police representive told Reuters that 67 people had been detained. They included both gay rights activists and their opponents.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin has denied the new law is aimed at cracking down on homosexuals' rights. 
