Bucharest gay-rights marchers attacked, police intervene (2nd Roundup)

Jun 9, 2007, 20:31 GMT

Bucharest - A gay-rights rally was marred Saturday in Bucharest when an anti-gay group attempted to disrupt the march, prompting police to try to disperse the counterdemonstration with tear gas.

The counter-protestors, many of whom were hooded or masked, pelted the gay-rights parade with cobblestones, rubbish, eggs and tomatoes, and 108 people suspected of involvement in the violence were arrested.

There were no initial reports of injuries.

Police said that about half of the people arrested were juveniles, and most of the suspects were expected only to face fines on charges of disturbing public order.

The attackers were not identified as part of any organized group, though authorities suspect connections to a right-wing religious association Noua Dreapta, or the New Right, which rallied Saturday morning against the gay-rights march later in the day.

At least 300 people were taking part in the so-called March of Diversity, which was part of a cultural event, Gay Fest 2007, in the city. The marchers were under the protection of at least 400 police officers.

The march was organized by Accept, a Romanian gay-rights advocacy group.

Homosexuality was decriminalized in 2001 in Romania but continues to confront prejudice in broad segments of Romanian society.

The Romanian Orthodox Church planned special Saturday evening masses nationwide to pray against what it believes are 'sins' being promoted by the gay-rights rally.