Lawyer Marković would twist the neck of LGBT people

Non-governmental organizations LGBT Forum Progres and LGBTIQ Social Center assessed yesterday that there is a well-founded suspicion that lawyer Velibor Marković is publicly spreading intolerance and discriminatory attitudes towards the LGBTIQ community and those he perceives as members of that community.

The announcement was made after "Vijesti" journalist Damira Kalač, in her capacity as a citizen, filed a complaint with the police against Marković, due to threats sent on the social network Facebook during correspondence about the rights of LBTIQ persons.

The NGO announced that Marković wrote via Facebook, addressing Kalač, and as part of the correspondence about the Law on Life Partnership of Same-Sex Couples:

"And since this is already turning into a repetition, only you piss and strum I don't know what in the four walls, no one can forbid you, but if I see you gossiping in front of my eyes, or in front of my children and in this way violence against us, I will twist your neck".

Marković told "Vijesta" that he stands by his position, that it is a lie that he is a homophobe and that members of that population will never have a problem with him. He assessed that what was said was not a threat, but a warning.

"First of all, the signatories of that announcement have no idea what a well-founded suspicion is, that speaks of their lack of seriousness. I spoke about their public display of love passions, sexual activities in front of my children, I am against that. Let them do whatever they want in the four walls, but they cannot threaten my right to a healthy environment. For me, homosexuality and zoophilia are disorders," said Marković.

He pointed out that he expressed his position publicly a few days ago on Facebook and that he will always do so.

"It is the constitutionally guaranteed right to freedom of speech, and the fact that it bothers them speaks best of them."

The NGO announced that Kalač, with the legal support of the LGBT Forum Progres, submitted a report to the Police Directorate, which, they claim, caused an additional reaction from Marković.

In the comments that followed, he states, among other things:

"Finally, I use the opportunity to announce that I stand by my allegedly threatening (and in fact warning) announcement and add that my warning also applies to cases of gossip in front of me and my minor children between human beings and animals, parents and children, sisters and brothers, as well as all other sick phenomena. Because by the time the Communal Inspection arrives, my surroundings are disgusting".

The NGO assessed that the comments are particularly worrying because, in addition to the initial threat of twisting the needle against LGBTIQ people, Marković repeats the threat in his next post, and characterizes LGBTIQ people as sick phenomena that disgust the environment.

They called on the Bar Association of Montenegro to initiate urgent disciplinary proceedings against Marković for, as they claim, publicly expressed views, and to determine responsibility.

They announced that they will file another report against him.