Serbia Bans Gay Pride March Again

For third year in a row

Serbia's government banned gay activists from marching in Belgrade for the third year running on Friday, citing a threat to public safety from right-wing hooligans but risking EU condemnation before the expected start of accession talks.

The last Gay Pride march in 2010 triggered a day of rioting by right-wing nationalists in the capital, Belgrade.

Western ambassadors had heaped pressure on Serbia to allow this year's event to go ahead on Saturday, as a litmus test of the Balkan country's commitment to tolerance and diversity. The EU is due to launch membership talks in January.