Serbia's police have banned a gay pride march in Belgrade -- planned for this coming weekend -- citing security concerns, but also complying with a request from Serbia's Christian Orthodox Church, the USA Today website reports on October 3, 2012.
Police said they are banning the march 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 was also banned by authorities.
The current ban was announced after Patriarch Irinej -- the head of Serbia's Christian Orthodox Church -- urged the government to prevent the march planned for October 6.
Patriarch Irinej 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.
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