Serbia police detain 56 in neo-Nazi, antifascist clashes

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Serbian police said Monday they detained 56 neo-Nazis following clashes with antifascists during a banned march by extremists demanding the contested province of Kosovo remain part of the country. The extremists from the Nacionalni Stroj (National Guard) group clashed with an antifascist counter demonstration when they pressed ahead with the protest Sunday, despite a ban following an outcry by Jewish and other groups. Several people were injured as the extremists hurled stones at the antifascists. The organizers of the anti-fascist gathering said in a statement Monday that the police failed to protect them and the opposition criticised the government for being too soft on extremists. The organizers demanded an explanation from the Interior Minister Dragan Jocic as to why the neo-Nazis were allowed to gather in the northern city of Novi Sad, about 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Belgrade.