Fridae

In justifying their ban, Moscow city officials said that they had recently received a significant amount feedback supporting the city's decision to not allow the gay event to be held in the Russian capital.

Parade organisers however said they would rally regardless like they had done in 2006 despite the ban, according to the Russian Kommersant news web site.

"The parade will take place," organiser Nikolay Alexeev told the press. "Hundreds of people from Russia and other countries, including EU parliament deputies, are to take part."

Last year, gay marchers were attacked by riot police and militant Christians.

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov, who had denounced the rally as "satanic," came under harsh criticism from human rights champions.

Parliamentary deputy Alexey Mitrofanov, who attended a news conference of the Moscow Pride Parade in support of the organisers, told the meeting that blocking the gay pride parade would set a dangerous precedent for bans on demonstration by other minorities and opposition groups that authorities dislike.

He however added that he would not be rallying with gay rights activists, since taking part in the unsanctioned march is "absolutely inappropriate for a Federation Assembly deputy."

The news conference was disrupted by several unidentified homophobes who promised that "Moscow will drown in gay blood" on May 27.