Moscow, Aug 17 : A group of Russian
activists have filed $10.5 million lawsuits against pop diva Madonna and
organisers of her St. Petersburg concert in which she mentioned about
growing intolerance in the world and called for solidarity with gays and
lesbians.
The activists have sought compensation for "moral damages" caused due to the concert.
"These
lawsuits are against Madonna Louise Veronica Ciccone, the concert's
organisers (PMI company) and the concert hall," said lawyer Alexander
Pochuyev.
A total of nine people filed the lawsuits demanding
compensation for "moral damages" stemming from "the open promotion of
homosexuality" during her Aug 9 concert in Russia's second largest city
of St. Petersburg, he said.
A group of activists from the St.
Petersburg-based civil group Parental Control had earlier asked police
to probe Madonna's actions, claiming that the concert was attended by
children as young as 12.
They accused the singer of violating a local law prohibiting the promotion of homosexuality among minors.
Attended
by about 25,000 people, the show was held at St. Peterburg's largest
concert hall where Madonna complained about "growing intolerance".
She
had pink armbands distributed in the audience while asking her fans to
raise their hands in a sign of support for homosexuals.
Madonna
also spoke out in support of all-female group Pussy Riot. Three members
of the band were sentenced to two years in jail earlier Friday over a
February protest in Moscow against Orthodox Church support for Vladimir
Putin ahead of the March 4 presidential polls.
©IANS
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