Vladimir Luxuria, gay-rights activist, detained in Russia

An Italian gay-rights activist says she was detained by police in the Olympic host city after being stopped while carrying a rainbow flag saying "Gay is OK" in Russian.

Vladimir Luxuria, a former Communist lawmaker in the Italian parliament who has become a prominent transgender rights crusader, says on her website and Twitter feed that she was held for several hours before being released. It is not known if she was charged with any offence.

Sochi police would not comment.

Her website published a photograph of her after her release. Before her arrest, she tweeted: "I'm in Sochi. Greetings in the colours of the rainbow, in Putin's face."