Gay pride

Split gay parade organisers demand int. minister's resignation

12.06.2011 u 12:29

Bionic
Reading

The organisers of the first gay pride parade in Split have announced legal actions against anti-parade rioters and representatives of state authorities and demanded the resignation of Interior Minister Tomislav Karamarko over violence which erupted during the parade on Saturday afternoon.

Three associations -- Kontra, Iskorak and Domine -- issued a statement on Saturday evening accusing the police of failing to provide safety and security for gay paraders.

They said that their gathering had been interrupted by violence and that they would inform international organisations and human rights watchdogs about those riots.

The police arrested 137 people, including 25 underage protesters who caused incidents during the parade in Split. Eight persons were injured in violence, the Split police said at a news conference on Saturday evening.

Local police officials said that the police had done their job well, they had ensured a route for the pride parade of the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender) community and saw to it that the event could be performed as planned on the Riva main waterfront promenade.