You're reading: Kyrgyz activists disrupt Ukrainian dance group show in Bishkek

BISHKEK - Activists have disrupted the show of a Ukrainian dancing group in Bishkek, the capital city of Kyrgyzstan, accusing the dancers of propagating gay culture, the Kyrgyz Interior Ministry department for Bishkek told Interfax on Saturday.

‘About 100 people blocked an entrance to a nightclub in the capital where the notorious collective Kazaky planned to perform,’ it said.

The activists warned that they would not allow “the propaganda of homosexuality and were defending traditional family values,” the police department said. ‘The concert’s organizers canceled the show to avoid a conflict and clashes,’ it said.

‘The Interior Ministry department for Bishkek does not plan to hold the city dwellers who disrupted the show administratively liable, as the protesters did not violate public order. They did not commit unlawful actions. And besides, none of the organizers has filed a report with the police. Therefore, they won’t be held liable,’ it said.

Local media reported that the show organizers had to pay $20,000 in forfeits to the performers.

The Kyrgyz parliament passed legislation banning gay propaganda earlier this week.

Kazaky is a male choreographic pop group set up in Ukraine in 2010. Its members often wear tights and high heels at their shows. One of the group’s most prominent achievements is their appearance in Madonna’s video for the song Girl Gone Wild. The group has been repeatedly accused of homosexuality propaganda.