Wentworth Miller announced that he is gay, and has declined an invitation to the St. Petersburg International Film Festival, due to the Russian government's crackdown on homosexuals, the star of "Prison Break" says, USA Today reports.

Miller was invited to appear as a guest of honor at the festival, but said, "As a gay man, I must decline."

Wentworth declined the invitation and came out with his sexuality for the first time, in a letter he sent on Wednesday to festival organizers.

"Thank you for your kind invitation. As someone who has enjoyed visiting Russia in the past and can also claim a degree of Russian ancestry, it would make me happy to say yes," he writes.

But then Wentworth added: "I am deeply troubled by the current attitude toward and treatment of gay men and women by the Russian government."

"The situation is in no way acceptable, and I cannot in good conscience participate in a celebratory occasion hosted by a country where people like myself are being systematically denied their basic right to live and love openly," Wentworth continued, according to TMZ.

The 41-year-old "Prison Break" star noted that if the situation were to change in Russia, he might be able to change his mind.

"If circumstances improve, I'll be free to make a different choice," Miller said.

USA Today reports Miller's announcement comes amid international condemnation of Russia's recent crackdown on homosexuals. New laws can fine people who are accused of spreading "propaganda of non-traditional sexual relations" to minors.

Gay pride rallies are banned, and so is the adoption of Russian-born children by same-sex couples. Foreign visitors suspected of being gay can now be detained for up to 15 days, which has raised concerns globally as Russia prepares to host the 2014 Winter Olympics, USA Today writes.