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People arrested during Slavic Gay Pride 2010 procession to stand trial on Monday

People arrested during Saturday’s Slavic Gay Pride 2010 procession in Minsk are being held in the detention center on Akrestsina Street and expected to stand trial on Monday, according to Syarhey Androsenka, an organizer of the event.

As Mr. Androsenka told BelaPAN, a total of eight people, including two residents of Russia’s St. Petersburg, were arrested during the procession. The Russian embassy has been notified of the arrest of the two Russian citizens, Mr. Androsenka said.

According to him, he and three other participants were taken to a police station after the demonstration was over. “When we were having our dinner at the Lido restaurant, a police officer took a seat near us and said that we should leave the place through the staff exit, noting that our lives were in danger, as young men aggressive to gays were seen in the area” Mr. Androsenka said.

At the police station, the four were questioned about the procession, photographed and fingerprinted. They were released without charge after three hours.

About 30 people took part in the procession, which took place on Surhanava Street. The gays and lesbians walked a few dozen yards, chanting “No to Homophobia!” “Equal Rights without Compromises!” and “Homophobia is a Disease!” and displaying a 40-foot-long rainbow flag, before stopping for speeches at the number one building Surhanava Street.

The crowd attempted to go farther but was violently stopped by personnel of the Minsk-based police Special Task Regiment, with more than 10 people arrested.

The gay parade had been banned by the Minsk City Executive Committee.