Attacked French fan dies in Belgrade

A 28-year-old French football fan who was brutally attacked in Belgrade by Serbian hooligans earlier this month died Tuesday in a hospital.

Brice Taton died of brain and other injuries he suffered during 17th of September attack by hooligans ahead of the Europa League match between Partizan Belgrade and Toulouse, the Belgrade Clinical Center said in a statement.

The attack with iron bars in a downtown pub left two other French nationals and a Serb slightly injured.

Ten people have been arrested and could be charged with attempted murder, which carries a 40-year prison sentence, Serbian prosecutors have said.

The brutality of the attack has shocked Serbia, triggering widespread calls for tough action against football hooligans who are notorious for rioting.

The attack against the French fans was just one in a series of recent assaults against foreigners in the Serbian capital apparently organized by far-right groups which are believed to have infiltrated football fan organizations.

Last week, Serbia’s state prosecutor requested a ban of two ultranationalist groups that have attacked foreigners and threatened a gay parade in Belgrade, which was canceled earlier this month because of the threats.