A gay couple was arrested outside the U.S. embassy in Moscow, Russia, Monday after leaving a sign reading “Love Wins” at a memorial for those killed in Sunday’s shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Florida.
According to The Washington Post, Islam Abdullabeckov and his boyfriend Felix Glyukman were arrested just moments after laying the sign down at the growing memorial in central Moscow. Police accused them of “holding an unauthorized demonstration,” which can lead to jail time in Russia.
In 2013, Russia passed a controversial law banning the promotion of so-called propaganda of gay relationships to minors. In other words, any public display that promotes same-sex relationships is illegal in the European nation. Authorities have used the law to ban any public displays of support for the gay community.
“We weren’t going to hold a political protest,” Abdullabeckov told The Washington Post. “We just wanted to put a poster and light candles.”
The couple has since been released from police custody, according to Abdullabeckov’s Facebook post.
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