Russian police have detained two people in St. Petersburg for breaching a new law banning homosexual propaganda, the first arrests since the city's legislature passed the controversial legislation in February.
The two gay rights activists were arrested on April 5 after holding placards reading "It's normal to be gay."
A court hearing is scheduled for April 6.
Under the new law, people convicted of promoting homosexuality or pedophilia among minors can be fined up to 5,000 rubles ($172) and organizations can be fined up to 500,000 rubles ($17,200).
Human rights campaigners say the law is discriminatory and runs counter to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Russia's national legislature, the State Duma, is currently considering a bill that would make public support of homosexuality illegal across the country.
The two gay rights activists were arrested on April 5 after holding placards reading "It's normal to be gay."
A court hearing is scheduled for April 6.
Under the new law, people convicted of promoting homosexuality or pedophilia among minors can be fined up to 5,000 rubles ($172) and organizations can be fined up to 500,000 rubles ($17,200).
Human rights campaigners say the law is discriminatory and runs counter to the European Convention on Human Rights.
Russia's national legislature, the State Duma, is currently considering a bill that would make public support of homosexuality illegal across the country.
