WARSAW: Polish police said on Saturday (Aug 8) they detained about 50 demonstrators who tried to prevent the arrest of a gay rights activist in the capital Warsaw, which sparked criticism from rights groups.The activist, who was referred to officially in court as Michal Sz.
but who identifies as a woman named Margot, is suspected of causing damage to a van plastered with homophobic slogans in Warsaw in June.A court order mandated two months of pre-trial detention for the activist, who is also accused of pushing a volunteer from the Pro-Right to Life Foundation which owned the van.Margot was detained on Friday at the offices of Campaign Against Homophobia but dozens of protesters then blocked the police car, prompting a stand-off before.