Investigators Raid Apartment Of Russian Gay-Rights Activist

Russian investigators have raided the Moscow apartment of prominent Russian gay-rights activist Nikolai Alekseyev.

Alekseyev reported the August 27 raid on Twitter.

Prosecutors have launched a criminal probe against Alekseyev for allegedly insulting two senior female members of parliament while commenting on controversial Russian antigay legislation.

The head of the State Duma Committee for Women, Families, and Children, Yelena Mizulina, and her deputy, Olga Batalina, claim Alekseyev repeatedly insulted them on the Internet by using obscenities.

Mizulina was one of the key sponsors of the law banning homosexual "propaganda" denounced by rights activist in Russia and abroad.

She says prosecutors have been asked to open a criminal case regarding the possible charge of insulting a state authority official -- an offense that could carry  a fine of up to 40,000 rubles (over $1,000).