He said that the action involving representatives of sexual minorities in central Moscow last Sunday “generated enormous coverage in Russia and foreign mass media.”

Alexeyev, who was released from custody in court after a day’s detention at the Tverskoye police precinct on Monday, repeated his intentions to become the first representative of sex minorities in the State Duma in Russian history.

“I am planning to run for the Duma in December. This can fundamentally change the circumstances in holding the next parade,” he said.

Moscow city authorities banned the gay parade on May 27. In response the organizers staged an unauthorized picket outside the mayor’s office, after which Alexeyev was detained.