Moscow, May 28 (IANS/RIA Novosti) Several Russian gay rights activists were detained during an unauthorized picket in Moscow, police said.

The picket led by Nikolai Alexeyev was devoted to the anniversary of the decriminalization of homosexuality in Russia, but was not sanctioned by the authorities.

Despite this, the gay activists decided to hold pickets near the City Hall building and the Moscow City Council.

Activists have held unsanctioned gay pride rallies in Moscow in previous years, usually gathering in some previously undisclosed place and dispersing before police arrive.

Mayor Sergei Sobyanin and his predecessor Yury Luzhkov have both spoken against public rallies in defence of gay rights. Luzhkov denounced them as satanic.

--IANS/RIA Novosti

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