Russian police detained around 25 gay rights activists who took part in an unsanctioned rally in St Petersburg.

A few dozen activists gathered at Palace Square on Saturday afternoon in defiance of a ban on holding the rally.

Organisers had said they would stage one-man protests to demand freedom of association after city authorities turned down their request to hold a parade.

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One man was pictured in front of the Alexander Column holding a placard featuring a rainbow which read: “My mum loves me, my dad loves me, my friends love me, why can not you?”

Police detained campaigners who unfurled rainbow flags or held placards and dragged them into a police bus.

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Three policemen were seen carrying one man who looked despondent but still held his multicoloured banner aloft above his head.

There were no clashes between police and the activists.

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The gathering coincided with Pride celebrations and marches around the world, most notably in Brighton where up to 300,000 people are expected to attend.

Russia passed a law in 2013 banning the spreading of gay “propaganda”.

Last month, Russian police briefly detained British LGBT+ campaigner Peter Tatchell after he protested near the Kremlin in support of gay rights.