Serbian authorities banned the weekend’s planned EuroPride march in the Serbian capital Belgrade on Tuesday, citing a “risk of violence” after anti-LGBT groups announced a counter march for the same day.
The cancellation of the march, scheduled for Saturday, followed an increase in tension between the LGBT community and far-right nationalists who took part in an anti-Pride demonstration last weekend.
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“After the security assessment, it was determined that there is a high risk the safety of participants in both (marches) on the announced routes will be endangered, as well as the safety of other citizens,” police said in a statement, according to the Associated Press.
This year marked the first time Serbia hosted the EuroPride rally, in which members of the LGBT community across Europe gather in a different country every year. The rally began with a flag-raising ceremony Monday and will conclude Sunday.
Organizers of EuroPride criticized Serbian authorities for its late cancellation and vowed legal action if the ban remained. However, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called for the cancellation of the event last month.
“Police have waited until the last possible moment to ban the EuroPride march. Every time this has happened in Belgrade before, the courts have ruled the decision unconstitutional,” Kristine Garina, president of the European Pride Organizers Association, said in a statement. “The first ever ban on a EuroPride march cannot be allowed to stand and I have no doubt the court will take the same stance this time.”
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Although the ban is the first for EuroPride, Serbia has struggled with regulations regarding homosexuality for decades. Gay Pride marches in 2001 and 2010 were interrupted by violence and rioting after far-right groups targeted the events, prompting more security at Pride marches in the capital since 2014.
Serbia is seeking membership in the European Union and has pledged to boost LGBT rights.
