The groups tried to disrupt the progress of the procession.
in Serbia police clashed with right-wing protesters on Saturday as several thousand people joined the LGBT rights Pride parade in Belgrade. The news agency reports about it Reuters.
The procession was part of the EuroPride week, which takes place every year in a different European city. Christians and right-wing activists who opposed the procession marched in Belgrade last Sunday and demanded the authorities to ban the procession, which the country’s government also did.
However, at the urging of European Union officials and several human rights activists, the government later allowed the procession, but on a shorter march route than planned.
Serbian prime minister Ana Brnabić said the clashes were with two right-wing groups. The groups tried to disrupt the progress of the procession.
The prime minister added that ten policemen were slightly injured, five police cars were damaged and 64 protesters were arrested.
“I am very proud that we managed to avoid more serious incidents,” Brnabić, himself a member of the sexual minority, told reporters.
Previous Serbian governments have banned Pride parades, which has drawn criticism from, for example, human rights groups. Some of the marches organized in the early 2000s were met with fierce opposition and outright violence in Serbia.
However, the recent Pride events in Serbia have been peaceful. EuroPride organizers cited this change as one of the reasons for choosing Belgrade to host this year’s event. Last year the event was organized in Copenhagen.
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