Russia: Anti-gay extremist sentenced to five years in prison

Anti-gay extremist Maxim Martsinkevich

A Russian anti-gay extremist who has been on the run from authorities for months has been sentenced to five years in prison.

From LGBTQ Nation:

Maxim Sergeyevich Martsinkevich was convicted of inciting and fomenting cases of extremism by posting videos on the “Vkontakte” (VK.com) social network that contained racial slurs and extremist opinions on Russia’s state of the union, reports Interfax. Videos containing anti-gay statements and abuse were not included in the prosecutor’s case against him, however.

Martsinkevich rose to international attention last year when his group began posting videos on VK.com and YouTube, documenting violent and homophobic harassment of men and gay youth the group claims were seeking to have sex with boys.

Martsinkevich attempted to escape prosecution by running to Cuba, but was arrested and extradited in January for breaking Cuban immigration laws.