The centre of Sarajevo was cordoned off on Saturday morning ahead of the 3rd pride parade and a counter-parade was announced for later in the day in the Bosnian capital city.

The third edition of the pride parade has been organised by associations bringing together LGBTI members and sympathisers.

The support to the event has been extended by the local authorities in the city and in the Sarajevo Canton as well as the Office of the High Representative (OHR) and the embassies of the USA and Great Britain.

British Ambassador Matthew Field has said that he will attend the pride march.

“I will be there personally, because I believe in and support these values. I will also be there representing the UK government because this is our policy everywhere around the world,” the ambassador has written on his blog ahead of the pride march.

In honour of the Sarajevo Pride event, the Delegation of the European Union to Bosnia and Herzegovina is flying a rainbow flag on its building.

On the other hand, conservative Muslim associations have decided to organise a counter-rally.

They have filed a request with the police to stage their rally, and the law enforcement authorities have given permission for that rally that will take place in Sarajevo in parallel with the pride parade.

The police have taken all the necessary measures to ensure a physical distance between the two rallies.