Pride Organizers
Sue Russian President

Moscow gay pride organizers filed a lawsuit Monday against Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, accusing him of ignoring a petition to intervene in the city's ban on the event.

Pride had been scheduled for May 31, but Moscow mayor Yury Luzhkov refused to grant a permit.

Pride organizers sent Medvedev a letter on May 16 asking him to intercede, but he has failed to respond.

The lawsuit filed Monday in district court in Moscow accuses Medvedev of breaking a Russian law that requires the president to reply to appeals within a 30-day period.

Last week pride organizers asked the European Court of Human Rights to order the city to pay about $45,000 in compensation for canceling last year's parade. (The Advocate)