While there’s been a lot of talk about gay rights in Russia, it’s not the only country in Eastern Europe where gay people face major challenges. Bosnia is one such nation where, for example, attempts to organise gay pride marches in recent years have ended in violence.
More trouble has erupted over the weekend at the gay film festival, Merlinka, in Sarajevo. The second day of the fest on Saturday was disrupted when 10-15 hooded thugs stormed a film screening, injuring three people. Those attacked were taken to hospital and it appears those behind the violence were not taken into custody.
The AFP reports that, ‘Several hooligans entered the Kriterion cinema during the festival. Three people were injured and taken to a hospital, but their lives are not in danger.’
A cinema employee said the the hooligans, “Did not break anything, but they were yelling and intimidating participants who attended a debate which followed the screening of a movie.”
Merlinka planned to screen 30 films over the three days of the festival, looking at the rights and culture of LGBT people. It’s not known whether the attack affected the rest of the planned events.
The attack is part of a pattern of intimidation against gay people and events in Eastern Europe, with homophobes seemingly emboldened by the laws passed in Russia, and an increasing feeling that the authorities won’t do much to stop them if they do cause problems and attack LGBT people.
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