Moscow gay rights demo attacked
Updated on 27 May 2007
Russian nationalists attack demonstrators calling for the right to hold a Gay Pride march in Moscow.
British activist Peter Tatchell was knocked to the ground, kicked and punched in the face before being taken away by the Moscow riot police.
Right Said Fred singer Richard Fairbrass was also beaten up as he tried to talk to journalists.
The gay rights protesters had gathered to call for a Gay Pride march in the city - something the Moscow mayor has described as "satanic".
The protesters were confronted by a group of orthodox Christians and and right-wing nationalists, chanting "Russia without homosexuals!".
Campaigner Peter Tatchell was among the gay rights group. First of all he had water thrown at him. Then he was punched in the face.
Having been attacked, he was the one then arrested.
Also there today Richard Fairbrass from the pop group Right Said Fred. He too was then bundled away by police.
In 2001 Peter Tatchell tried to arrest the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in Brussels. On that occassion he was assaulted by Mugabe's minders.
The group were accompanied by two MEPs. The Italian MEP Marco Capatto complained that the police were in league with the nationalists. He too was arrested.
Peter Tatchell is not afraid to put himself in harm's way to make a point. In 2001 he tried to arrest the Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe in Brussels. On that occassion he was assaulted by Mugabe's minders.
Tonight a gay rights spokesperson said that about 30 campaigners had been detained by the police and that they were expecting to be held overnight.
The British Embassy have not yet been told how many British citizens were detained.
