Three men in their thirties have been charged with 88 counts of assault, 71 counts of violations of political freedoms and prevention of assembly. During the parade on July 3 last year, a group of marchers were attacked with pepper spray and tear gas.
The Office of the Prosecutor General has taken charge of the case, underlining the exceptional gravity of the proceedings.
According to the prosecution, several perpetrators took part in the attack on marchers, but only three of them have been remanded in custody. The prosecution calls for suspended prison sentences for all three of the accused.
Compensation claims by the injured parties run to some tens of thousands of euros.
Defence denies hate crimes
All three of the accused have admitted to the charges of assault, but they vehemently deny having violated political freedoms or prevented assembly.
“There were no motives relating to politics or sexual-orientation behind the crime,” the defence says.
The trial proceedings are to last two days. The verdict is expected well before Midsummer.