Violent clashes between Serbian police and protestors at EuroPride 2022 in Belgrade

Serbian police have been involved in violent clashes with anti-LGBT protestors at Europride 2022 in Belgrade.

Violent clashes broke out this afternoon, Saturday, September 17, between Serbian police officers and anti-LGBT protestors at the Europride event in the country’s capital city of Belgrade.

Thousands of people joined an LGBTQ march to mark the end of EuroPride week, an event that is staged in a different European city each year. As violent clashes began, the police fired stun grenades to disperse the crowds, with demonstrators responding with lit torches.

An estimated 6,000 police officers had been deployed in Belgrade in an attempt to quell the threatened protests from far-right groups. Belgrade police are believed to have detained at least 31 people for disturbing public order.

Among those arrested was the monk Antoni(Antonije), an avid anti-LGBT advocate who had voiced his opposition to the event. He allegedly threw a plastic bottle at a journalist.

The Serbian police arrested the monk Antoni(Antonije) because he is throw a plastic bottle at one journalist,and also because he is against the holding of the pride.#EuroPride2022 #Belgrade #Serbia #Srbija pic.twitter.com/TPrpHUtD7f

— Slavic News (@news_slavic) September 17, 2022

Prior to the EuroPride 2022 march, Ana Brnabic, the Serbian prime Minister, assured that the march would go ahead in the capital, but under the watch of a heavy police presence.

https://twitter.com/AZmilitary1/status/1571174461595852801?s=20&t=C3_dQb4JpW7tnSUq9KuoFg

https://twitter.com/BNNBreaking/status/1571210666610143233?s=20&t=C3_dQb4JpW7tnSUq9KuoFg

A tweet from MEP for the Midlands and North-West, Maria Walsh, praised the event’s organisers as well as the police:

At #EuroPride March in Belgrade. While a number of riot police filled the streets to keep any violence at bay, the Pride March was full of colour, music & love. Incredible work done by Goran & his team. Incredible work also by Police to keep the Pride March moving safely. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/atmgAwcMHM

— Maria Walsh MEP (@MariaWalshEU) September 17, 2022

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