Shocking footage shows the moment a gay couple claim they were attacked and pelted with sand by strangers on a European beach because of their sexual orientation.
Australian Ricky Liu and his friend Craig took photos in the water at Bacvice Beach, near the coastal city of Split in southern Croatia, on July 19.
Mr Liu, who lives in London, saw children throwing sand at the couple and initially thought they were playing a prank.
He then uploaded a video to TikTok claiming the reason for his act was much more sinister.
“I walked up to them and thought, can you please stop throwing sand at us,” Mr. Liu said.
He claimed that the group laughed at him because he was gay.
Footage shows the Australian talking to a number of children during the fight, after which sand is thrown in his direction.
Mr Liu said he had some sand in his eye and confronted the group again when he decided he had had enough of the ‘bullying’.
Ricky Liu (pictured left) and his friend Craig (pictured right) were taking pictures on the beach when children reportedly started throwing sand at the couple
Mr. Liu can be seen in the video telling one of the children that he is filming the incident and that he will not hesitate to send the video to the police.
“I was recording the whole time. I was afraid for my own safety, but I also won’t let this injustice go unnoticed,” Mr. Liu said.
The couple, who were also out with a friend, decided to head back to the coast but claimed they continued to be harassed by strangers.
Mr Liu alleged that a man and a woman threw pebbles and cigarettes at them, after which the woman spat on the ground while they were getting dressed.
As they walked away from the beach, Mr Liu said a man followed them and pushed Craig into a tree before punching him.
“If you are homosexual and go to Croatia, you have to be careful,” he said.
‘I have to fear for my safety for the rest of my holiday.’
Mr Liu, who was on holiday in Croatia, claimed a man and woman threw pebbles and cigarettes at the couple when they returned to land (stock photo)
Social media users were quick to express their disgust at the strangers’ behavior.
“I’m so sorry you had to go through this,” one person wrote.
“I’m so sorry,” added another.
“I’m so sorry this happened to you. I was in Split this summer and luckily [I] “But if you haven’t experienced that, many people immediately judge and stare,” wrote a third.
Mr Liu uploaded another TikTok video last Sunday claiming that the man who hit his partner has now been charged.
He said that Croatian police are now in contact with his friend.
Daily Mail Australia contacted Croatian police for comment.