Neo-Nazi protesters at a LGBTI film festival in Moscow blocked access of filmgoers, intimidated them and even allegedly poured ammonia on one person. A person also called in a bomb threat to the festival.

Members of the National Liberation Movement and the SERB turned up to the Side by Side LGBTI Film Festival on Thursday 23 May. But orthodox and far right protesters also targeted the festival everyday it ran from 23-26 May.

According to festival organisers, the neo-Nazis stood at the entrance to the festival holding ‘extremist’ signs. They tried to physically block attendees getting.

Organizers also claimed the protesters threw ammonia on staff member from the Canadian Embassy. Even though they called police, organizers said police did not arrive for more than two hours. Police eventually arrested about 10 people.

They told Gay Star News they planned to sue the police over the inaction.

‘Throughout all these incidents we were in contact with the police demanding that they take action and remove the protestors,’ said Manny de Guerre, the festival’s organizer.

‘Their reaction was slow and there was no interest on their part to deal with the situation. Only after repeated demands, mass telephone calls to the emergency services did the police bring the situation under control.’

Bomb threat