MOSCOW - MOSCOW police on Saturday detained three prominent global gay rights leaders as violence broke out at an unprecedented rally that activists tried to stage near the Kremlin wall.
Dozens of protesters - waving rainbow flags and some carrying signs reading 'Russia is not Iran' - were attacked during the unsanctioned event by members of an ultra-Orthodox group who had gathered near the Kremlin in anticipation.
An AFP correspondent saw the police then move in and violently wrestle both activists and members of the religious group to the ground before leading them off in handcuffs to waiting security vans.
Those detained included the renowned US gay rights activists Dan Choi and Andy Thayer as well France's Louis-George Tin.
Britain's veteran gay rights leader Peter Tatchell said the police had tried to lead him away as well but that he had managed to wrestle free.
'We are sitting in the police car. There are five Russians, two Americans and myself. I don't know exactly where we are,' Mr Tin said. 'The handling was very rough,' he added. -- AFP
28may2011
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/World/Story/STIStory_673678.html
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