■ Nikolai Alekseev: “The ban of Saturday’s event is just more evidence that gays and lesbians are not allowed to conduct any public events in the capital, in any place and with any number of participants”.

MOSCOW, May 15, 2008 (GayRussia.ru)  –  The Prefecture of the Central Administrative Area of Moscow has refused permission to stage a small demonstration by gay men and women in front of the General Prosecution office in downtown Moscow on Saturday May 17 to coincide with the fourth International Day Against Homophobia.

Organisers and participants had planned to demand the starting of criminal investigation against Moscow Mayor Yuri Luzhkov on the basis of Article 149 of Russian Criminal Code for systematic preventing of the conduct of public actions by representatives of the gay community.

The organisers had intentionally decreased the number of participants to a maximum of ten hoping to get authorization for the picket with the main slogan “Article 149 has not been repealed!”  The picket was supposed to take place at 1 pm on Saturday.

The prefecture of the Central Administrative area of Moscow was notified of the planned event by the organisers in full accordance with the law on May 13.  Yesterday, they were informed that their public event was banned – and no alternative place was offered, in breach of the legislation.

Nikolai Alekseev, chief organiser of Moscow Gay Pride, said this morning that the “lawlessness” of Moscow authorities continues.

“The ban of Saturday’s event is just more evidence that gays and lesbians are not allowed to conduct any public events in the capital, in any place and with any number of participants.”

“On Saturday, many countries in the world will celebrate the International Day Against Homophobia.  We wanted to express our civil position and raise the issue of systematic breaches of our rights by Moscow authorities, but we were again denied to right to do it.”

“The decision concerning this action is currently being discussed.  It is possible that it will be conducted in the form of one-man pickets which do not need authorisation according to the current Russian legislation”.

Mr. Alekseev vowed that “the ban of Saturday’s picket will be soon appealed to Taganskiy district court of Moscow.  We are ready to take this case up to the European Court of Human Rights”.

Article 149 of Russian Criminal Code implies criminal penalties for officials who prevent public demonstrations by using their official position.  The maximum penalty is up to 3 years in prison.

International Day Against Homophobia is celebrated around the world each year on May 17, the day in 1990 the General Assembly of World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the list of psychiatric illnesses.  In 1999 Russia adopted the international rules.

Tomorrow, organisers of Moscow Pride will give a press conference in Moscow dedicated to the International Day Against Homophobia, 15th Anniversary since decriminalization of homosexuality in Russia and events of third Moscow Pride. It will start at 1 pm at the Independent Press Centre.

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Posted: 15 May 2008 at 11:00 (UK time)