MOSCOW , Russia ( CNN ) -- Dozens of gay and lesbian rights activists planning a parade in southwestern Moscow Saturday have been detained , Russia 's Interfax news agency reported . Gay and lesbian rights activists are detained in Moscow Saturday ahead of a planned march . The arrests included Nikolai Alexeyev , a prominent gay activist in Russia , and his associate Nikolai Bayev , Interfax said , adding that more people trickling into the location were being arrested without explanation . Officials of Moscow 's gay community had announced earlier plans to rally at Novopushkinsky Park in central Moscow , Interfax said . The arrests came ahead of Saturday night 's Eurovision Song Contest , which is being held in Moscow . The contest has a strong following among the gay and lesbian community . Watch police break up the march » . Journalists from various countries gathered at the scene , as police barricaded the park with metal bars . Trucks with soldiers onboard were parked on nearby streets , Interfax said . UK gay human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell , in a statement on his Web site ahead of the march , said it was being held to coincide with the final of the Eurovision Song Contest . `` This parade is in defense of human rights . We are defending the often violated human rights of lesbian , gay , bisexual and transgender Russians . They want legal protection against discrimination and hate crimes . I support their cause . `` Not all Russians are homophobic , but many are . Gay Russians suffer queer-bashing attacks , blackmail , verbal abuse and discrimination in education , housing and employment . This shames the great Russian nation . '' The Eurovision Song Contest , which began in 1956 , sees singers and groups from a short list of European nations perform a specially written song before telephone votes from each nation decide the winner . In western Europe , the contest is regard as a light entertainment spectacular , with a strong following among the gay and lesbian community . Many fans dress up , hold parties and gather round the TV to watch the three-hour-plus televised marathon . In recent years , however , eastern European nations , which take the contest much more seriously , have come to dominate . The contest is also known for its political edge , as nations either give zero points to traditional enemies -- or , if they are enjoying good relations , the maximum number of points , as a sign of friendship . The most famous winners of the contest were ABBA , who came to attention as the Swedish entry with `` Waterloo '' in 1974 . In 1988 , Celine Dion won the contest while singing on behalf of Switzerland . The dance show Riverdance first came to attention as an interval act when the contest was held in Dublin , Ireland , in 1994 . The organizers of the contest estimate it is watched by 100 million people worldwide .
News agency : Police barricade park where demonstrators due to meet . Arrests come ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest , being held in Moscow Saturday . Most famous winners of the contest were ABBA , who came to attention in 1974 . Contest is traditionally taken more seriously in eastern Europe .