A Russian lecturer has said he was fired for being gay.

Oleg Kluenkov claims he was dismissed from his position at Northern (Arctic) Federal University over his activism work in Russia and abroad.

He was sent a dismissal letter from university officials ‘for being absent from work without excuse’.

It referenced his trip earlier this year in February, when he travelled to the United States to spread the word about LGBTI activism about Russia.

He had no classes at the time.

An anti-gay group, who had found about his trip, contacted the Federal Security Service Directorate and the university.

After this, Kluenkov was asked to leave his job ‘voluntarily’, and after a short period, he received his dismissal letter.

Prominent staffers, who are out as LGBTI at work, have been under severe scrutiny since the introduction of the ‘gay propaganda’ ban last year.

Activists say teachers can be fired because, by being out, they are being ‘political’.

According to the academic administration, all professors and lecturers have been told to give up all forms of public political activity or face employment termination.

Kleunkov has appealed against his dismissal. The first preliminary hearing is scheduled for 2 July.