Gay rights abuses, war crimes and World Cup fever - it´s an ugly mix | Peter Tatchell
(The Guardian Russia)

I´m in Russia - but I´m not here for the football. Fifa has allowed the sport to legitimise Putin´s abnormal regime - and I´m here to protestI´m in Moscow trying to lie low and evade the Russian security service the FSB. I´m exhausted from the stress. It´s my sixth time in the country; each time I´ve visited in order to support LGBT+ campaigners who were attempting to hold a Pride parade and festival. On every occasion, these were suppressed by the authorities, sometimes violently. I´ve been arrested twice and once been beaten almost unconscious.This time I´m here for the World Cup - but unlike thousands of fans I won´t be cheering on this festival of football. There can be no normal sporting relations with an abnormal regime like that of Vladimir Putin. LGBT+ people and many other Russians suffer state-sanctioned persecution and far right violence. These abuses need to be challenged - that is why I am in Moscow. Related: Robbie Williams `selling soul to dictator Putin` in World Cup gig Continue reading...