A picketer in support of gays in Chechnya leaves Russia

Peter Tatchell, a British LGBT activist, accused of violating the order of picketing after a Moscow action in support of the gay people of Chechnya, has left Russia without waiting for a trial on his administrative case.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 14, in Manege Square in Moscow, the police detained Peter Tatchell, a British LGBT activist, who went to a picket with the demand to stop the persecution of gays in Chechnya. An administrative protocol was drawn up against Peter Tatchell on violation of the order of picketing, and on the same day, Peter Tatchell was released.

The court hearing on the administrative case against Peter Tatchell is scheduled for June 26 However, today, the activist has managed to fly away from Russia without any problems. He published his photo in a plane.

"Job done. Goodbye Moscow. No problem at immigration despite my scheduled court appearance on 26 June. It was such an honour to support the heroic Russian LGBT," the activist wrote on his Peter Tatchell Foundation's Twitter page.

In the administrative case, Peter Tatchell was facing a fine of up to 20,000 roubles, compulsory labour or administrative arrest in Russia, the "Kavkaz.Realii" reported on June 15.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.