Topless protester pursues Russia church leader

[July 26, 2012]  KIEV, Ukraine (AP) -- A bare-breasted feminist activist bearing a threatening message on her body has tried to throw herself at the Russian Orthodox Church's leader to protest alleged anti-Ukrainian policies by the church and the Kremlin.

The protester is with the controversial Ukrainian women's rights movement Femen.

She managed to get a meter (yard) within Patriarch Kirill at Kiev's airport Thursday, but was stopped by a security guard and a priest.

The woman had the words "Kill Kirill" written on her back in large black letters and shouted "Kirill, go to hell!" She was briefly detained but released without charges.

Kirill ignored the commotion and proceeded to talk about his visit to a group of reporters.

Ukraine's biggest Orthodox Church answers to Kirill, upsetting many Ukrainians who want an independent church.

[Associated Press]

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