Serb police clash with anti-gay protesters

Police battled with anti-gay protesters at Serbia’s second-ever Gay Pride march which drew hundreds of gay activists in Belgrade.

Reuters

Several people were hurt in skirmishes between Serb riot police and hundreds of far-right supporters, who tried to break through the security cordon protecting the event. Two were arrested, police say.

Police sealed off areas of Belgrade where the march is taking place. Far-right rioters hurled bricks, stones and glass bottles at the Gay Pride marchers. Several parked cars and shop windows were damaged.

Hospital officials say at least 46 people, most of them police officers, were injured.

Police have fired tear gas to disperse the rioters when the brief parade ended.

Sunday’s gay parade included well-known Serbian actress Mirjana Karanovic and representatives of the international gay community, who took part to show their support of Serb homosexuals.

Vincent Degert, head of the EU mission in Serbia, addressed the gay activists who were gathered at a park surrounded by riot police.

“We are here to celebrate this very important day, to celebrate the values of tolerance, freedom of expression and assembly,” he said.

Sunday's demonstration was dwarfed in numbers by an anti-gay parade on Saturday which drew 5,000 to 10,000 demonstrators. Some of the protesters gave Nazi salutes and shouted for the death of homosexuals.

Plans to organise a gay parade last year were put off after the government said it could not guarantee the safety of participants.

This year’s parade follows a first Gay Pride march in 2001 which was broken up by violent clashes provoked by far-right rioters.

This year’s march was seen as an important test for Serbia’s government, which has pledged to protect human rights as it seeks EU membership.