Police arrest two for beating man they thought was gay

‘Despite not being a homosexual, tonight I am proud to “be” one of them’, Ilija Vucevic says

Ilija Vucevic says he was attacked because he was carrying a pink dog transporter bag the attackers viewed as proof he was homosexual (Ilija Vucevic)

Two men have been arrested in Serbia for beating up a man because they thought he was gay.

Police said the pair are suspected of hitting the 39-year-old man on the head after calling him gay in a restaurant in central Belgrade.

Ilija Vucevic said he was “brutally attacked” on Friday because he was carrying a pink dog transporter bag the attackers viewed as proof he was homosexual.

Mr Vucevic said he lost three teeth in the attack and suffered cuts and bruises.

He wrote on Facebook that “despite not being a homosexual, tonight I am proud to ‘be’ one of them.”

Members of Serbia’s LGBT+ community often face harassment and violence.

The country has pledged to boost LGBT+ rights as it seeks membership in the European Union.

Additional reporting by Associated Press