Russia’s Vladimir Putin greeted by pro-LGBT topless protesters in Germany
Upon arriving in Germany for a trade visit, Russian President Vladimir Putin was greeted by angry LGBT protesters, including a topless rally from the feminist group Femen.
Three members of Femen, a Ukrainian feminist group which protests for human rights, staged a topless protest, interrupting a trade fair in the German city of Hanover.
Painted on their bodies were slogans such as “Putin dictator”, and they shouted that he was a “dictator”, before being bundled away by security.
Saying that the protest had helped to promote the fair, Putin said: “Regarding this performance, I liked it,” at a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Mr Putin is visiting the Dutch capital to showcase the economic ties between the two countries, worth $83 billion in bilateral trade last year.
The Netherlands is Russia’s second largest trade partner after China. The Russian president arrived in the city shortly following a visit to Germany.
Members of Femen also took to Paris’s Notre Dame Cathedral in celebration of the announcement of Pope Benedict XVI’s resignation, and previously demonstrated during his weekly prayer, in favour of LGBT rights.