Posted on 06/14/2018 7:36:26 AM PDT by BBell
British LGBT campaigner Peter Tatchell has been detained by Russian police in Moscow ahead of the opening ceremony of the World Cup.
Mr Tatchell was detained for what Russian police described as an illegal protest.
He had attempted to hold a solitary demonstration near the Red Square to draw attention to human rights abuses against gay men in Chechnya.
A Reuters reporter saw a Russian policeman inform Mr Tatchell that it was illegal to hold such protests during the tournament.
Mr Tatchell was holding a sign which said: "Putin fails to act against Chechnya torture of gay people."
The policeman told Mr Tatchell that he had to stop or he would be detained.
A statement from the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which Mr Tatchell founded in order to campaign for human rights, says that Mr Tatchell was protesting legally.
Speaking before the protest, Mr Tatchell suggested he anticipated being arrested having been attacked several times while protesting homophobia in Russia.
------
"Getting arrested is standard for Russians who protest for LGBT+ rights or against corruption, economic injustice and Russia's annexation of Crimea and its bombing of civilians in Syria," Mr Tatchell added.
He said: "Unlike brave Russian protesters, I have the 'protection' of a British passport, which means I have been treated more leniently than they are.
"My fate was mild compared to what often happens to Russians who dare to challenge the Putin regime. I am awed by their courage."
Last year, the Novaya Gazeta newspaper reported that more than 100 gay men have been locked up and tortured in a homophobic campaign in the Russian republic of Chechnya.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sky.com ...
To Lubyanka with him!
He was likely going for a carry-out pizza.
“Chechnya.”
Why does he Hate Muslims?
Putin doesnt hang gays or throw them off buildings
He ought to protest in Tehran
Or Luton
See who’s the brave rainbow warrior
A person who organizes protests in a foreign country is an enemy spy. Russia would be well within its rights to execute him.
Just like the atheist and feminist who love to protest Christians but would not think to protest Islam.
Send him to a gulag.
Silly bugger!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.