Eight activists were arrested at an LGBT rights protest in Moscow marking National Coming Out Day.

Activists gathered outside Moscow’s Sokolniki Park to hand out pro-LGBT flyers to passers-by to mark National Coming Out Day. Despite having all relevant permits for the rally to take place, activists were dragged to nearby police cars by plainclothes officers who claimed that it was illegal.

Baev told the Washington Blade that despite attempting to peacefully end the protest by taking down posters and flags, police insisted on detaining the eight protestors and organisers.

“Police officers asked the organiser to get into the [police] car,” Svetliy told the Blade. “We understood that we were now screwed.

“They were criminal policemen, who watched the rally and waited for the moment to detain the participants,” he said. “This is a common practice in Putin’s country; a lot of police agents watch all rallies in Moscow.”

The eight that were detained were charged with disobeying officers and released after three hours.

As of 2013, Russian law criminalises the promotion of homosexuality to minors.

Watch a video of the protest below.