Violent protests erupted in Belgrade and other Serbian cities on Saturday, as angry demonstrators clashed with police, marking a rise in tensions after days of anti-government demonstrations. The demonstrators are demanding the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic and early parliamentary elections, which Vucic has rejected.
President Vučić has accused the protesters of acting under foreign instructions to "destroy Serbia" and has promised a crackdown on the nationwide movement led by university students.
In the town of Valjevo, about 100 kilometers from Belgrade, a group of young people threw fireworks and set fire to the offices of the Serbian Progressive Party, chanting slogans against President Vučić. The demonstrators then clashed with police, while authorities fired tear gas and other means to disperse the crowd.
In Belgrade, police deployed armored vehicles in several strategic areas of the capital. Clashes between security forces and anti-government demonstrators, as well as supporters of the president, have resulted in dozens of injuries and arrests. Some social media posts show armed police using force against demonstrators, including young people and women.
Serbia's Interior Minister, Ivica Dacic, has denied the use of excessive force by police, blaming demonstrators for attacks on officers.
Serbia has been gripped by ongoing protests since last November, following the collapse of a train station structure in Novi Sad, an event that killed 16 people. Many citizens blamed a lack of accountability and corruption in infrastructure projects for the tragedy. Meanwhile, the protests, which were initially largely peaceful, have taken a violent turn in recent weeks.
