Russian LGBT activist detained at St. Petersburg Pride
Fears have been sparked over the safety of an LGBT+ activist who was detained by police at St Petersburg Pride in Russia.
Anna Grabetskaya is said to be facing 10 days in detention after she was detained while at the Pride event that took place on Saturday.
St. Petersburg Pride (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images)
Pride goers were watched closely by police and far-right protesters.
It is believed that Grabetskaya was detained after she took a few steps away from the picket she was stood at.
She was holding a sign that read “I love my wife” and had a rainbow flag wrapped around her.
After leaving the picket that she was stood at, police reportedly detained her immediately.
Police said the activist ignored their warnings after she was given “10 minutes to cease her unlawful actions”.
The Russian LGBTI network said in a video which captured the moment she was arrested, Grabetskaya “made only a few steps and did not resist the arrest.”
She was detained for disobedience of police orders and violation of the procedure for conducting a public event.
St. Petersburg Pride (Photo by OLGA MALTSEVA/AFP/Getty Images)
In a statement posted on the Russian LGBT Network’s Facebook page, the activist group said that Grabetskaya’s possessions including her phone were taken from her when she was detained.
There is no official information regarding the court hearing or what is happening to Grabetskaya.
However, her wife, Maria Kozlovskaya, believes that she is being detained for 10 days.
The Pride was the biggest event since 2010 with an estimated 100 people turning out for celebration.
Holding Pride celebrations in Russia is increasingly difficult since the introduction of the “gay propaganda law” in 2013.
The controversial law, which has been condemned by the European Court of Human Rights, can carry a fine of up to 500,000 rubles ($8,000 USD).
