On Saturday in Belgrade a great protest took place – its participants demanded the government's resignation and conducting early parliamentary elections. The date was not accidental – June 28 is celebrated in Serbia Saint Vita (Vidovdan)– The main national holiday in this country. On this occasion, people from all over the country came to the capital.
The Ministry of the Interior estimated the number of protesters at 36,000. According to data from an independent observation organization, the archive of public assembly, which is referred to by the Associated Press Agencyhowever, 140 thousand took part in the action. Serbia citizens. Slavia Square in the city center, near which many government buildings are located, was filled to the brim.
At the same time, in the Pioneer Park in the city center, the action of supporters of President Serbia Aleksander Vucia took place. A few months ago they crashed the camp there to create a lively terrace in front of his headquarters.
The demonstration ended around 22.00 local time, some protesters headed towards the park. The evening service says that after dark, radicals appeared there who They covered their faces, fired flares and launched attacks on the police, including sticks and stones. In response, the officers used force. Earlier, Vucii stated that “he was expecting acts of violence” from demonstrators around 21.00.
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N1 television announced that The officers of the Ministry of the Interior used tear gas and bang grenades for protesting. Police head Dragan Vasiljević said that the crowd of demonstrators was chased with sticks and the officers did not use any chemicals against them. According to him, six officers and two civilians were injured. The Ministry of the Interior also announced the detention of “dozens” of people.
One of the main groups of protesting – students in the blockade – accused the police of using violence and obstructing the provision of medical assistance to the victims.
Activists also charged the authorities for escalating the situation. Prime Minister Serbia Duro Macut condemned violence and attacks on the police, calling everyone to alleviate tensions and responsible behavior. Vucić, in turn, announced a speech to the nation.
Protests for several months
Protests in Serbia have been going on for several months. They began in November 2024 after a tragedy in a new orchard, where as a result of the collapse of the concrete structure at the entrance to the train station, 15 people aged 6 to 74 were killed. The protesters accused Vucia and his ruling party since 2012, claiming that it was the fault of the corruption that embraced the country and the neglect that the ruling camp committed. Protesters also demand democratization and strengthening of state institutions.
At yesterday's rally, these slogans were repeated by Vladan Dokić, rector of the Belgrade University. – Each of us sees in what crisis this country is sinking, which rejects values that underestimates knowledge and culture that destroys its own institutions. We know that education is the spine of every society. Students, thanks to their brave and peaceful rebellion, united us all in a common mission to preserve institutions, justice and right to diversity. That is why we feel pride, belonging and responsibility for persistent, “said Blick.RS quoted by the website.
Aleksander Vucić sharply criticized the participants of the protests.
– For seven months, the terror of people who took the law took their own hands, threw them at their feet and behaved like God's envoys who have the right to do everything that would come to their minds – said Blisk.RS quoted by the website. He assured, however, that he would not apply violence against them.
– [Istnieją] Huge differences between them and those who consciously wanted to cause bloodshed. Thanks to the coincidence and the huge police professionalism, the most serious consequences were avoided. God knows how many citizens, God knows how many policemen could die yesterday evening – he added. He also stated that “it is a miracle” that protests did not bring fatalities.
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