Serbia’s president announced additional arrests of anti-government protesters after clashes with police during a large rally demanding an early parliamentary election. Numerous individuals have already been taken into custody.
Aleksandar Vucic, during a press conference, accused the organizers of Saturday’s protest led by students in Belgrade of provoking violence and assaults on law enforcement officers, calling for legal action against them. He condemned “terrorist activities and attempts to undermine the state,” particularly targeting Vladan Djokic, the dean of the University of Belgrade, who participated in the protest.
Tens of thousands of individuals attended the demonstration following almost eight months of continuous opposition, which has unsettled Vucic’s strong hold on power in the Balkan nation. Protesters also labeled the current populist administration as “illegitimate” and placed the blame for any unrest on the government.
Clashes with riot police erupted after the official part of the rally ended. Police used pepper spray, batons and shields while protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects.
Police said on Sunday that 48 officers were injured while 22 protesters sought medical help. Out of 77 people detained, 38 remain in custody, most of whom are facing criminal charges, said Interior Minister Ivica Dacic.
“There will be more arrests,” Vucic said. “Identification of all individuals is underway.”
The protests started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed in November, killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blamed the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad on corruption-fueled negligence in state infrastructure projects.
Vucic has repeatedly rejected an immediate snap vote instead of the one planned for 2027.
“Serbia won. You cannot destroy Serbia with violence,” Vucic said Sunday. “They consciously wanted to spur bloodshed. The time of accountability is coming.”
Critics say Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power over a decade ago, stifling democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish. He has denied this.
Serbia is formally seeking European Union entry, but Vucic’s government has nourished its relations with both Russia and China.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
