MOSCOW, September 18 - RAPSI. The Moscow City Court will hear on October 30 an appeal of the ban on gay pride parades passed in May by Moscow authorities.

Earlier, the district court dismissed rally organizer Nikolay Alexeyev's appeal, stating that the Moscow authorities' refusals to hold such events fall in line with Russian legislation.

Gay pride parade organizers asked the authorities to allow them to hold rallies on May 26-27, with up to 1,000 participants, as well as rallies with up to 300 participants.

The response signed by Moscow Regional Security Department First Deputy Chief Vasily Oleynik stated that the rallies were aimed at arousing a negative reaction from the public.

In their appeal, the rally organizers said the authorities have violated not only Russian law, but also the European Court of Human Rights' decision in the "Alexeyev vs. Russia" case, pursuant to which instituting a ban on holding gay pride parades was deemed to be unlawful.

Despite the authorities' refusals, an attempt was made to hold unauthorized rallies on May 27.

First, the participants picketed the Moscow City Duma. Later, a rally was held near the Moscow City Hall. Police detained several rally participants.