Singer claims law has legitimised vicious homophobia and extremist views Attack comes after Putin praised 'personal achievements' of gay celebrities Russia's law bans the dissemination of 'gay propaganda' among minors Elton John has spoken out against Russia's ban on homosexual propaganda by dismissing Vladimir Putin's claims he is welcoming to gays and saying the law had legitimised homophobia. The pop star's stinging attack come days after the Russian President claimed he had gay friends and praised the 'personal achievements' of homosexual celebrities like John whom he called 'extraordinary'. In a 500-word statement, John said: 'What I heard reinforced all the media stories that have been circling since the propaganda bill became federal law: that vicious homophobia has been legitimised by this legislation and given extremists the cover to abuse people's basic human rights. Everyone shared stories of verbal and physical abuse - at work, in bars and restaurants or in the street - since the legislation came into force last June. 'Vicious homophobia has been legitimised': Elton John has dismissed claims by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he is welcoming to gays The law has come under fire from human rights activists as Russia prepares to host the Winter Olympics next month. During a visit to Moscow in December, John performed a concert at which he condemned the law, and said he was keen to gain a first-hand understanding of its effect on the LGBT community. He added that he would welcome the chance to introduce Putin to gay Russians. Russia's law bans the dissemination of 'gay propaganda' among minors, and has become a focal point of criticism by the West and human rights activists who say the law is discriminatory and represents a crackdown on rights and freedoms under Putin. Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev defended the law in an interview with CNN and said the Western criticism 'has nothing in common with the real situation in our country and wih the rights of representatives of sexual minorities.' Protests: Gay rights activists march through Moscow condemning homophobia and 'fascism' According to a transcript published on his government's website, Medvedev said Russian gays are not complaining about the law or its effects on the way they are treated. 'Speaking honestly, I have not seen a single appeal, even on the Internet, from representives of sexual minorities in which they say that their rights are being infringed upon,' he said. Putin has addressed the controversy around the law with journalists several times in the past weeks ahead of next month's Winter Olympic Games in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, a showcase that Russia hopes will burnish its image abroad. He invoked John as proof that Russians do not discriminate against gays. 'Millions of our people sincerely love him despite his orientation,' Putin told foreign journalists on Sunday. Putin also said that he had gay acquaintances and told the BBC that he would 'definitely' talk with gay celebrities like John and actor Ian McKellen. The 'Tiny Dancer' singer became a target of the law's supporters last September when a parents' group asked Putin to cancel John's December concerts in Moscow and Kazan. John first performed in the former Soviet Union in 1979. John, one of the world's most prominent gay celebrities who has two children with his partner, said the law has also promoted misunderstanding and ignorance among the Russian people, and implies that gays are dangerous to children. 'In particular, it is very disappointing that the law explicitly links homosexuality with child sex abuse, which countless studies have shown to be conclusively wrong,' said John who has campaigned for gay rights.