Russian court rules homophobic ‘propaganda law’ is not against constitution

Russia’s Constitutional Court yesterday ruled that the country’s controversial anti-‘gay propaganda’ law is not against the Russian constitution after an appeal made by three LGBT activists.

Nikolai Alexeyev, Dimitri Isakov and Yaroslav Yevutshenko brought the case to the court, claiming that the law, which bans the ‘promotion of homosexuality’ and the discussion of homosexuality with minors, was in breach of the Russian constitution.

Members of the court however voted that the laws did not breach the Russian constitution and that they were, in fact, legally legitimite.

The decision has upset many LGBT and human rights groups, who see the laws as an attempt to oppress sexual minorities in Russia.

The laws, which came into forced last year, have already seen the suppression of many LGBT groups and has led to protests and calls to boycott Russia from many international groups who see the laws as homophobic.