Two Russian men arrested after apparent homophobic murder
Sapa-dpa | 12 May, 2013 20:53
File photo. Image by: STRINGER/MEXICO / REUTERS
Two men were in custody in the southern Russian city of Volgograd Sunday and police were investigating if they were behind attacks on gays and lesbians after the two were linked to a brutal homophobic torture and murder.
Local media reported that the two suspects, aged 22 and 27, allegedly abused a third man, 23, after he told them he was gay. They then killed him and tried to light his body on fire, according to the reports.
The two men in custody were linked to the crime by a 21-year-old witness. There might have been others involved in the attack.
Although homosexuality has not been illegal in Russia since 1993, activists say the Kremlin has backed homophobic policies that have prompted a growing wave of attacks.
