Activists of 'Bh. Pride Parade' attacked in Banja Luka, injuries reported

SARAJEVO, (Patria) - In the premises of Transparency International BiH on Krfska Street, in the Banja Luka neighborhood of Obilićevo, hooligans attacked participants of the coordination board meeting of the "Bh. Pride Parade" organization tonight.

Media report that an unknown group of hooligans attacked journalists and activists. Police quickly arrived at the scene and intervened.

"Under heavy police escort, everyone is being transferred to the Banja Luka Police Department," reports BHRT.

Three injured individuals were taken to the Emergency Service.

The event, which was supposed to be held tonight by this informal volunteer collective, which brings together activists from all over Bosnia and Herzegovina, was banned by the Banja Luka police earlier today.

The Banja Luka Police Department also issued a statement regarding this incident, which we are transmitting in its entirety below:

"Police officers of the Banja Luka Police Department are taking all measures and actions to shed light on the criminal offense of 'Violent Behavior' and identify the perpetrators.

Namely, the competent police station was reported tonight around 6:45 PM about a disturbance of public order and peace in front of the non-governmental organization's premises on Krfska Street in Banja Luka, in such a way that several unknown persons physically and verbally attacked a group of citizens who had spontaneously gathered in front of the aforementioned premises.

One injured person received medical attention at the Banja Luka Emergency Medical Service due to the bodily injuries sustained, while the other gathered citizens, accompanied by police officers, proceeded to the premises of the Banja Luka Police Department for their personal safety and to be interviewed as injured parties.

The duty prosecutor of the District Public Prosecutor's Office of Banja Luka was informed about all of the above, and they stated that it constitutes the aforementioned criminal offense."