RIA Novosti reports, Minsk special militia have blocked an attempt to hold gay pride in the centre of Belarus capital.

A few dozen of active members of LGBT organizations from Belarus and Russia tried to hold the Slav Gay pride - a mob action in the downtown street of Minsk - Sourganov Street. The action had been banned earlier by the local authorities. Militiamen seized the Rainbow flag and detained some participants of this gay action.

Protesters of gay pride parade were also noticed on the spot, one of them threw eggs into the group of the pride participants.

According to the statement of Alexandr Lastovsky, the head of PR department of Minsk City police headquarters, 10 gay pride participants were detained for further check up in Pervomayskiy district police station of Minsk. "It is most likely that they would be charged with administrative liability for breaching the law on mass gatherings and public meetings". He also added that sanctions against them would be a fine or an administrative arrest for 15 days.

For reference: Earlier this year, on March 4, 2010, Local LGBT groups filed an application to Minsk City Hall requesting authorization to hold Slav gay pride. The authorities, however, have refused to do so on grounds that public gatherings and mob actions were only allowed if the distance from the nearest subway station or underpass to the action spot would be more than 200 metres.

Translated by Yerdna Bananes