Moscow - Moscow police have arrested some 40 participants in a gay protest taking place in the city, ahead of the Eurovision song contest finals on Saturday. The march, which had been prohibited by city authorities, was taking place at the Lomonosov university. Police forcibly broke up the demonstration and took participants away in buses and police vehicles.
"We are peaceful people, and want to live like everyone else," said one woman as she was being arrested.
In contrast to previous similar demonstrations in Russia, no one was apparently injured. A US citizen and a Briton were among those arrested.
Demonstrators unfurled banners during the event in support of homosexual rights in Russia, where they say they are frequently the victims of violence and discrimination.
Local authorities have repeatedly referred to gays and lesbians as "sexual minorities," and there had been fear prior to the demonstration that religious and right-wing extremists would attack the parade, as has happened in the past.
Russian media had on Friday published details of where the demonstration was due to take place.
Members of the OMON police special forces were used on Saturday to break up the demonstration.
Moscow city authorities later confirmed the arrest of 40 people and defended the deployment of special forces.
"The police acted appropriately and within the law," a city statement said.
Moscow major Yuri Lushkov had referred to previous gay events as "satanic."
The leader of the Russian homosexual association, Nikolai Alexeyev, was dragged away by the feet and hands by police.
"When, when but now at the Eurovision song contest, can we bring attention to our terrible situation," he said to the German Press Agency
