Topless members of the Femen radical feminist group have seized the football trophy of the Euro 2012 on display in Ukraine to protest against the increase of sex tourism in the former Soviet republic.

Inna Schevchenko, 21, stripped from the waist up revealing the words "F**k Euro 2012" and clutched the cup while it was exhibited in a central square in Dnipropetrovsk.

A 46-year-old French journalist peeled off her top to display the same slogan. "She also supports our struggle against sexism and prostitution and decided to take part," said Femen spokeswoman Anna Hutsol.

Both were detained by police under charges of causing public disorder and released later. A Polish reporter was also arrested by police, who confiscated her video and audio equipment

Kiev-based Femen's protests have focused on next month's Euro 2012 football tournament in Ukraine and Poland.

The activists claim the tournament will lead to a rise in prostitution in the former Soviet republic.

Another Femen activist staged a similar protest in Kiev, earlier this month.

In April, members of Femen staged a naked protest to defend Ukrainian women's rights to abortion. The activists climbed to the top of the Cathedral of St Sophia in the centre of Kiev and stripped from the waist up to protest against a bill that would ban abortions in the former communist country.

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An activist from women rights group FEMEN undresses during a protest action near the EURO 2012 trophy on public display in the Ukranian city of Dnipropetrovsk May 21, 2012. Femen
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Security guards detain a demonstrating activist from women's rights organisation Femen near the Euro 2012 trophy during its unveiling to the public in central Kiev on May 12 Reuters
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The topless activists of Femen, whose eye-catching antics have made them the cover girls of international feminist protest, are shouting loud and clear that their attendance at next month's Euro-2012 soccer tournament can be counted on Reuters
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The activists claim Euro 2012 will lead to a rise in prostitution in Ukraine Femen
Poland Ukraine