The event was intended as the cornerstone of the EuroPride meeting. However, the interior ministry banned the march earlier this week, citing security concerns after right-wing groups threatened to stage demonstrations. Although the march took place without serious incident, local media reported that clashes broke out between counter-protesters and police. The interior ministry had also banned any counter-demonstrations, but some far-right groups promised to rally in front of churches. Serbia’s interior minister, Aleksandar Vulin, had warned in a statement that “we will not tolerate any violence on the streets of Belgrade, any more than illegal marches.” British model and activist Yasmin Benoit said she had been to many gay pride parades, “but this one is a bit more stressful”. “I’m from the UK, where everyone is more supportive and it’s more commercial,” he told AFP. “But here, this should really be Pride,” she added, referring to the social struggle at the beginning of the movement. “We are fighting for the future of this country,” said Luka, a Serb participating in Saturday’s event. Despite the official ban, protesters were able to walk in the rain a few hundred meters between the constitutional court in a nearby park, a much shorter route than organizers had originally planned. Same-sex marriage is not legally recognized in Serbia, where homophobia remains deeply rooted despite progress over the years in reducing discrimination. The Balkan country, a candidate for EU membership, had come under intense international pressure to allow the march. More than 20 embassies – including those of the US, France and Britain – had issued a joint statement calling on the authorities to lift the ban. There was a heavy police presence around the Pride rally, with officers pushing back small groups of counter-demonstrators waving crosses and religious symbols. The interior ministry said 31 people were arrested. Authorities did not give details of those arrested, but AFP reporters saw several counter-protesters being driven away. According to N1 television, there were clashes between the police and counter-protesters, some of whom threw smoke bombs at the police and damaged several vehicles. The US embassy had urged its citizens to avoid the event “due to the possibility of unruly crowds, violence, as well as possible fines”. Human rights groups and the EU had called on the Serbian government to lift the ban. “The Serbian government’s decision to cancel EuroPride is a shameful tradition and tacit sanctioning of bigotry and threats of illegal violence,” said Graeme Reid, director of the LGBT rights program at Human Rights Watch. At least 15 members of the European Parliament have announced they will join the pride march in solidarity. Belgrade’s Pride marches in 2001 and again in 2010 were marred by violence and riots after far-right groups targeted the event. Since 2014, the parade has been held regularly without any notable unrest, but with a heavy law enforcement presence. This year’s ban came days after thousands took part in an anti-Pride demonstration in Belgrade, with biker gangs, Orthodox priests and far-right nationalists demanding the EuroPride rally be scrapped.
