SERBIA: Bosnian pop star Dino Merlin has staged his first concert in Belgrade for almost 20 years, amid tight security

Record ID: 786204

  • Title: SERBIA: Bosnian pop star Dino Merlin has staged his first concert in Belgrade for almost 20 years, amid tight security
  • Date: 26th November 2011
  • Summary: BELGRADE, SERBIA (NOVEMBER 25, 2011) (REUTERS) (NIGHT SHOTS) BELGRADE ARENA EXTERIOR SIGN READING IN SERBIAN "BELGRADE ARENA" POLICE CAR PARKED ON THE STREET/TRAFFIC POLICEMEN STANDING/TWO POLICEMEN ON HORSES RIOT POLICEMEN STANDING, PAN TO PEOPLE STANDING TWO POLICEMEN ON HORSES CLOSE OF TWO POLICEMEN ON HORSES RIOT POLICEMEN STANDING THREE RIOT POLICEMEN STANDING IN FULL GEAR MAN SELLING FUNNY SPECTACLES AND FLASHING DEVIL HORNS RIOT POLICE CORDON WALKING (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) WOMEN FROM BELGRADE, JELENA MILOSAVLJEVIC, SAYING: "I have no fear, why would I? I like him and I would like to hear him, that's the most important thing." (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) WOMEN FROM BELGRADE, ANKA, SAYING: "This is a unique opportunity after 20 years, to hear him. Whatever happens, happens." (SOUNDBITE) (Serbian) WOMEN FROM BELGRADE, GORDANA, SAYING: "I adore him, that's my youth, and regardless of everything, I respect him, and that's why I am here." PEOPLE PASSING SECURITY PEOPLE ENTERING ARENA VISITORS PASSING X-RAY MACHINES VARIOUS OF PEOPLE SITTING IN ARENA
  • Embargoed: 11th December 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Serbia, Serbia
  • Country: Serbia
  • Topics: Entertainment
  • Reuters ID: LVAA2T8T9EW9HPNVWFHOK9TAWDSP
  • Story Text: Bosnian pop star Dino Merlin took to the stage in Belgrade amid tight security on Friday (November 25), attracting thousands of fans despite threats of violence by an ultra-nationalist group.
    It was the first time the singer had performed in the Serbian capital in almost 20 years. Excited fans were kept waiting for almost an hour because of heavy security around the venue, the Belgrade Arena.
    Police officers patrolled on horseback, riot police stood guard and car parking was banned in the vicinity of the arena.
    Belgrade's authorities deployed the extra security after a Serbian ultra-nationalist movement, Nasi, distributed posters in all major Serbian towns featuring Merlin's picture with the inscription "Undesirable".
    The group accuses Merlin of hatred towards Serbs and participation in the 1992-1995 Bosnian war, as an officer of the Bosnian army, fighting against Serb forces.
    Earlier this month, a strong warning to Dino's fans was posted on the Nasi website, calling on fans not to drive to the concert because their vehicles might be damaged. Serbian police took the threats seriously. A special anti-terrorist unit was sent to secure the concert. Equipped with riot gear, security cameras and sniffer dogs, its members surrounded the Belgrade Arena. Every concert-goer was X-rayed and checked for weapons. Liquids and lighters were banned.
    But the measures didn't prevent around 20,000 fans from enjoying the concert, the first of a trio of dates in Belgrade.
    "I have no fear, why would I? I like him and I would like to hear him, that's the most important thing," Jelena Milosavljevic, from Belgrade, said.
    The cold, misty night, did not stop Anka from going to the concert.
    "This is a unique opportunity after 20 years, to hear him. Whatever happens, happens," Anka, who is from Belgrade, declared.
    Many people in the former Yugoslavia grew up listening to Merlin's music.
    "I adore him, that's my youth, and regardless of everything, I respect him, and that's why I am here," Gordana from Belgrade added.
    The Belgrade Arena, which this year has hosted world celebrities such as Shakira, Sting and Bryan Ferry, was packed.
    Wearing a white shirt, Merlin took to the stage in high spirits, bellowing "Good evening Belgrade" to the excited crowd.
    At 20 euros a head in cash-strapped Serbia, where the average monthly income is just 250 euros, tickets were pricey. But the promoters managed to sell more than 60,000 tickets in record time, pulling in over 1.2 million euros.
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