GAY rights activist Peter Tatchell was arrested by Russian riot police during a march in Moscow this morning, but has since been released.

Tatchell was among around 30 activists staging a demonstration ahead of tonight’s Eurovision song contest final in the city.

The march had already been banned by city authorities, with Moscow mayor Yuri Luzkhhov describing homosexuality as ‘satanic’.

The protesters were waving flags and chanting slogans including “homophobia is a disgrace of this country” and “we are demanding equal rights”, when the police charged in.

Tatchell, 57, was speaking to reporters when officers took him away and called out: “This shows Russian people are not free.”

The protesters, including event organiser Nikolai Alexeyev, were then dragged to waiting busses.

Tatchell posted a message on Twitter saying: “Arrested. Shortest march I’ve ever been on. Well that didn’t take long. Within 5mn (sic) 20 activists arrested by riot police in front of world’s media, including organiser Nikolai Alekseev (sic).”

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office confirmed Peter Tatchell has been arrested in Moscow while taking part in a gay pride rally and added: “We are in contact with him and are requesting consular access.”

This morning a rally from nationalist and Orthodox Christian organisations denouncing homosexuality was allowed to go ahead.

Tatchell said he was determined to take part in the demonstration despite the warnings from police.

Speaking before the march, he said: “I am joining the parade to show my support for the courageous Russian gay campaigners.

“Although I am determined to support our Russian and Belarusian comrades, like them I am anxious about what may happen to us. But we have to take some risks; otherwise the homophobes and authoritarians will win.”

Tatchell said he was almost beaten unconscious by right-wing extremists during a gay pride march in the city in 2007, while police looked on.

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