Madonna - Russian Court Rejects Madonna Lawsuit

Madonna has won a legal battle in Russia after a judge dismissed allegations the singer "promoted homosexuality" at a concert in Saint Petersburg in August (12).

The Material Girl was sued for $10.5 million (£6.5 million) by nine activists who criticised her for speaking out in favour of gay rights at the gig, claiming her views would cause the nation's population to dip.

The lawsuit declared young fans swayed by her show of support would be "more interested in filth than family building", and Russia's birthrate and ability to maintain an army would therefore suffer.

However, after a day-long hearing on Thursday (22Nov12), the court ruled against the plaintiffs.

Judge Vitaly Barkovsky deliberated for more than an hour before delivering the verdict, but seemed sceptical throughout the case and even challenged one claimant who insisted Madonna's concert would send divorce rates skyrocketing.

According to Britain's The Guardian, Barkovsky asked him why he wasn't suing heavy drinkers, since alcoholism is a well-known cause of divorce in the country.