Belgrade riots debated in parliament

The Serbian parliament convened today with MPs engaging in a debate over the gay parade related violence in Belgrade last weekend. MPs were scheduled to discuss amendments to a draft law on air traffic. But the session started with MP questions, which focused on the hooligan violence in Belgrade on Sunday. Belgrade riots debated in parliament Opposition parties insisted on this, and DSS and NS officials asked PM Mirko Cvetkovic to state whether it was true that the Pride Parade was held although the security services appraised there would be unrest. DSS MP Zeljko Tomic said that the government ignored its own security services and appeals coming from citizens who asked for the parade to be postponed, and decided to hold the event at any cost. LDP MP Zoran Ostojic said that the violence in Belgrade was shameful and added that while all parties condemned it, some tried to make it appear "relative". "I ask the prime minister who organized what happened. The Pride Parade was only a cause for something else, that was political violence. Who organized the gatherings, who paid for the transport, who these persons are connected with," he said, and added that his party had requested urgent sessions of the government, parliament and the city assembly in Belgrade. But NS MP Miroslav Markicevic said authorities decided to hold the Pride Parade regardless of security concerns. He added that he was ashamed for not joining opponents of the parade in Belgrade on Sunday. At the same time, Markicevic noted that while his party did not organize the unrest, the government might "see what it looks like", if they did. "Next year I will be in the streets of Belgrade, rather than (have you) beat those kids. I condemn only those who stole and committed obvious acts of violence. 200 have been detained, out of 6,000 (protesters), how will you like 60,000, 260,000, what will we do then," Markicevic said in parliament today. Ruling DS MP Dragoljub Micunovic said that people would have died if the police had not reacted and that the violence was the work of para-fascist organizations, noting that violence and violent protests must not be allowed under any circumstances. The Serbian parliament in session today (Beta)

Belgrade riots debated in parliament

Opposition parties insisted on this, and DSS and NS officials asked PM Mirko Cvetković to state whether it was true that the Pride Parade was held although the security services appraised there would be unrest.

DSS MP Željko Tomić said that the government ignored its own security services and appeals coming from citizens who asked for the parade to be postponed, and decided to hold the event at any cost.

LDP MP Zoran Ostojić said that the violence in Belgrade was shameful and added that while all parties condemned it, some tried to make it appear "relative".

"I ask the prime minister who organized what happened. The Pride Parade was only a cause for something else, that was political violence. Who organized the gatherings, who paid for the transport, who these persons are connected with," he said, and added that his party had requested urgent sessions of the government, parliament and the city assembly in Belgrade.

But NS MP Miroslav Markićević said authorities decided to hold the Pride Parade regardless of security concerns.

He added that he was ashamed for not joining opponents of the parade in Belgrade on Sunday. At the same time, Markićević noted that while his party did not organize the unrest, the government might "see what it looks like", if they did.

"Next year I will be in the streets of Belgrade, rather than (have you) beat those kids. I condemn only those who stole and committed obvious acts of violence. 200 have been detained, out of 6,000 (protesters), how will you like 60,000, 260,000, what will we do then," Markićević said in parliament today.

Ruling DS MP Dragoljub Mićunović said that people would have died if the police had not reacted and that the violence was the work of para-fascist organizations, noting that violence and violent protests must not be allowed under any circumstances.