BAD HOSPITALITY

Russian Mayor Allegedly Orders Hate Crime Against Prominent LGBT Activist

nikolaiThere’s more troubling news out of Russia this week, following Putin’s vow to ban same-sex couples from adopting and the massive shade thrown at Elton John’s wardrobe.

One hundred meters away from boarding a train from Kostroma to Moscow yesterday, Moscow Pride co-Founder Nikolai Alekseev (pictured) claims he was physically and verbally attacked by “three skinheads dressed in black, wearing white masks.” He was in the city attending a court session about the legality of Kostroma’s ban on a gay pride march.

Alekseev was one of 30 activists arrested late last month in Moscow after unfurling a rainbow flag at Moscow Pride’s inaugural march.

“At first I thought it was a simple mistake but then they started shouting ‘Fuck off to Europe you faggot,'” Alekseev told Gay Star News. “Then one threw an egg at the back of my head, while another punched me at my left ear. I still have pain in my left ear with a burning sensation.”

Alekseev also believes the attack was orchestrated by the city’s mayor, who he has sued in the past. “I think this is an attempt to scare me,” he says. “He will not stop my fellow activists or me.”

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