Moscow police vow to halt gay parade

MOSCOW, May 15 (UPI) -- Any attempt to hold an unauthorized "Slavic gay parade" in Moscow will be halted, a police official warned Friday.

Parade organizers said they would still go ahead with plans for a the event Saturday and that it would involve guests from Belarus as well as Russian nationals.

The organizers have also called on foreigners attending the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow to join them.

"Police officers have clear instructions to prevent public order violations, including the holding of an unsanctioned gay parade in Moscow," Police Maj. Gen. Leonid Vedenov told RIA-Novosti. "They will in line with the law take all necessary measures regarding those who attempt to violate public order."

Moscow Mayor Yury Luzhkov has branded gay parades "Satanic" and has vowed that they will never be permitted in the capital.