Gay rights activists take part in an opposition protest march in Moscow
Gay rights activists take part in an opposition protest march in Moscow (Reuters)

Moscow's biggest gay club, Central Station, was attacked by a mob of 100 LGBT-haters who "dismantled" the roof of the building and stole equipment, according to its owner.

Andrei Lishchinsky, who said the attack was the latest of the 20 incidents in recent months, wrote a letter to Russia's president Vladimir Putin to demand a proper investigation.

"The building was seized by a professional raiding company that served the interests of unknown foreign legal entities that ordered multiple illegal actions against LGBT visitors of the club," club owner Andrei Lishchinsky wrote.

"These actions were obviously motivated by hatred toward representatives of the LGBT community and had a clear extremist tone."

Lishchinsky said he has filed more than 30 complaints with Moscow police with no response.

"Despite clear signs of crimes and evidence from witnesses, those responsible for organisation and execution of crimes were not identified, and by results of the formal checks a decision was made against initiation of criminal proceedings," the general director said.

Lishchinsky claimed that the thugs took over the attic of the club with the collusion of police.

A concert by the group Army of Lovers, a Swedish band, was forced to move to another venue.

In a previous attack, two gunmen opened fire in Central Station, injuring no-one but damaging the club's door.

In November, thugs sprayed "harmful gas" inside the club, which was crowded with 500 people. Employees had to use a smoke removal machine to filter the gas and avoid consequences such as panic and poisoning.