Moscow - Fear is rising of violence against gay and lesbians planning a traditional parade at the Eurovision song contest final in Moscow on Saturday. Moscow police on Friday underlined a ban on homosexual public demonstrations in the city, saying "we will proceed as with every other prohibited event," according to a police spokesman.
Previous gay and lesbian events in Moscow have met with violence from police, right-wing and religious extremists.
Local media have published details of planned assembly points for Saturday's gay parade.
However, homosexual rights associations have said that they will hold a demonstration in support of their rights on the day of the Eurovision final, in opposition to both police and city authorities.
In April, police said that "attempts at an unauthorized demonstration by sexual minorities in Moscow will be strictly - but within the framework of the Russian law - suppressed," said a police spokesman.
Deputy Mayor Valeri Vinogradov said there was little hope that the city would allow the demonstration planned for the May 16 Eurovision finale to take place.
"The position of the city in this matter is well-known and will not change," he said.
