Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic told Friday’s news conference that he would not be flying the LGBTI flag on the day of the Belgrade Pride Parade.

“I won’t fly it. I was elected President of the Republic to safeguard the interests of the citizens and I do that in the way that I think best. It don’t feel like it and I won’t fly the LGBTI flag. Get together tonight and tomorrow, get together and demonstrate,” Vucic said.

The president said he received a written request to fly the LGBTI flag, adding he does not know if the government will fly it. He said he has never done anything to violate the rights of LGBTI persons.

Vucic is known to have been a supporter of the Red Star Belgrade FC whose fans included violent hooligan groups alleged to have been involved in attacks on earlier Pride Parades.