A group of Russian activists is suing Madonna for $10 million, claiming she insulted their feelings by making pro-gay comments.

The pop star’s comments were made at a concert in St Petersburg last week, at which she also handed out pink wristbands as a show of solidarity with St Petersburg’s GLBT community.

She also used the concert to protest the incarceration of punk band Pussy Riot, the three members of which were yesterday sentenced to two years in prison for “hooliganism motivated by religious hatred” for an anti-Putin performance.

Madonna wore a balaclava, an accessory favoured by Pussy Riot, and at one stage stripped to her bra to reveal the band’s name written on her back.

The anti-gay activists are alleging that Madonna’s actions caused “moral suffering”.

“Maybe someone does not see the link but after Madonna’s concert maybe some boy becomes gay, some girl becomes lesbian, fewer children are born as a result and this big country cannot defend its borders – for me it causes moral suffering,” said Alexei Kolotkov, one of the protesters.

Another activist, Darya Dedova, said the group would donate the $10 million to local orphanages.

“Of course, it is difficult to measure moral damages and suffering but maybe people who earn money regardless of moral rules will better understand this,” she told Reuters.