Russian Police Arrest LGBT Activist Peter Tatchell in Moscow
A second picture shows a group of police officers standing around Tatchell before they put him into a police car.
Tatchell said on Twitter after his release from a Moscow police station that he has been charged with violating a Russian law and a presidential degree that “prohibit all protests near the Kremlin” during the World Cup, which began on Thursday. Tatchell said he has been ordered to appear in court on June 26.
“Glad to stand in solidarity with Russian and Chechen LGBTs,” he tweeted.
The British Embassy in Moscow on Twitter confirmed Tatchell’s release.
“Our staff in Moscow are assisting Peter Tatchell who was arrested, and subsequently released, in Russia earlier today,” it said. “We have spoken to the local authorities and are pleased to confirm that he is well and has now been released.”
The World Cup will take place in Russia through July 15.
The 2014 Winter Olympics took place in the Black Sea resort city of Sochi. Russia’s LGBTI rights record — including a 2013 law that bans the promotion of so-called gay propaganda to minors — overshadowed the games.
The Washington Blade will provide additional updates as they become available.