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![\"Peter](\"https:\/\/i1.wp.com\/www.towleroad.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/06\/tatchell.jpg?resize=195%2C195\")
<\/p>\nGay Activist Peter Tatchell Arrested During Protest in Moscow Ahead of World Cup: WATCH<\/b>
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Longtime British activist Peter Tatchell was arrested by police in Moscow protesting Russian homophobia ahead of the World Cup. He was released approximately two hours later, according to notices on his official Twitter account.<\/p>\n
Tatchell wore a sign that read:\u00a0\u201cPutin fails to act against Chechnya torture of gay<\/a> people.\u201d<\/p>\n Tatchell is likely to continue his protests.<\/p>\n Wrote Tatchell in a statement on his website yesterday<\/a>: \u201cI am here in Moscow to call<\/a> out FIFA over giving the 2018 World Cup to a human rights-abusing country like Russia and FIFA\u2019s failure to tackle homophobia and racism by football leagues, clubs, players and fans.\u00a0It is appalling that this tournament is being held in a country where gay<\/a> football fans are openly threatened that they will be hunted down, beaten and stabbed.\u00a0FIFA has recklessly given the World Cup 2022 to Qatar where the human rights abuses are even worse.\u00a0There can be no normal sporting relations with an abnormal regime like that of Vladimir Putin. LGBT+ people suffer state-sanctioned persecution and vigilante violence.\u00a0LGBT+ Pride parades have been banned for 100 years in Moscow. Publicly advocating LGBT+ equality or giving affirmative advice to LGBT+ young people is a crime.\u00a0I am fearful of arrest and violent attack but undeterred. Inspired by the campaigning and heroism of Russian LGBTs, I\u2019m acting in solidarity with their battle for equal human rights.\u201d<\/p>\n He added: \u201cMost LGBT+ people in Russia are too afraid to openly protest against their persecution. They fear arrest and being beaten by extremists. I am here in solidarity with their freedom struggle. I salute and support them.\u00a0I am not telling Russians what to do. I\u2019m supporting Russian LGBT+ advocates and human rights defenders. They want President Putin to uphold Russia\u2019s constitution and its international human rights obligations, such as the European Convention on Human Rights, which Russia signed and pledged to uphold.\u201d<\/p>\n Peter is currently protesting against Russian homophobia in Moscow and being hassled by the police. Watch live<\/a> NOW t.co\/2IGKRZ8GMW<\/a> apologies for poor quality. Pls RT #rainbowrussians<\/a> and #worldcup2018<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) June 14, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Confirmed. Peter has been detained by Moscow Police and taken to Tverskaya Police Station. #RainbowRussians<\/a> and #WorldCup2018<\/a> Pls RT support for Peter and call<\/a> for @BorisJohnson<\/a> and the @FCO<\/a> to act now. pic.twitter.com\/TXJqdGlIZQ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) June 14, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n BREAKING \u2013 Peter Tatchell has been released. I’ve spoken to the Consulate Gen. who says he has been bailed & treated well. Thank you for the all the good wishes. Let’s remember the awful plight of LGBTs in Russian & Chechnya. More from me soon. Simon at the @ptfoundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2014 Peter Tatchell (@PeterTatchell) June 14, 2018<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The post Gay Activist Peter Tatchell Arrested During Protest in Moscow Ahead of World Cup: WATCH<\/a> appeared first on Towleroad<\/a>.<\/p>\nRELATED:\u00a0Gay Men Who Kiss at World Cup to be Reported to Police<\/a><\/em><\/h2>\n
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