Hundreds of people protested in London yesterday against a Russian anti-gay propaganda law that has attracted international condemnation as the world athletics championships kick off in Moscow.

Gathering in the British capital near the residence of Prime Minister David Cameron and the Foreign Ministry, demonstrators called for the government to push Russia to repeal the laws.

“Putin is the ‘Tzar of Homophobia’,” veteran gay rights campaigner Peter Tatchell wrote on his website ahead of the protests.

“His regime has outlawed the public expression of LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transsexual) identity and affection – and prohibited the advocacy of LGBT human rights – in circumstances where a person under 18 might see it.”

Clutching banners bearing slogans such as ‘Love Russia. Hate Homophobia’ and rainbow flags, protesters called for a change in the policy that has attracted criticism from world leaders including US President Barack Obama.

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