Police ban gay pride march in Serbia that Christian Orthodox church opposed
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Serbia's police on Wednesday banned a gay pride march in Belgrade, citing security concerns but also complying with a request from Serbia's Christian Orthodox church.
Police said they are banning the march planned over the weekend because they fear a repeat of the violence in 2010, when right-wing groups attacked such an event in Belgrade, triggering day-long clashes with the police that left more than 100 people injured.
Last year's gay pride march also was banned by authorities.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The current ban was announced after Patriarch Irinej, the head of Serbia's Christian Orthodox church, urged the government to prevent Saturday's march.
He said in a statement that such a "parade of shame" would cast a "moral shadow" on Serbia — a very conservative Balkan country whose gay population has faced threats and harassment.
Allowing this year's march had been regarded by some as a test of Serbia's pledge to respect human rights as it seeks European Union membership.