Mass protests in Serbia continue for five days, injuring hundreds of protesters and officers
Massive protests have been ongoing in Serbia for five days (Archive photo: Getty Images)
Mass protests continue in Serbia. Demonstrators are lighting flares, while police respond with tear gas. Several people have been detained, according to KoSSev and N1.
Clashes between protesters and police took place on the evening of August 16 in Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Valjevo. The protest was called Serbia "Cannot Be Pacified.”
In Valjevo, police dispersed demonstrators with a storming operation and used tear gas. Local residents, including some from nearby buildings, threw pyrotechnics at the gendarmerie building.
In Belgrade, protesters threw pyrotechnics at the office of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) and burned the party’s flag.
A column of demonstrators in Novi Sad smashed windows at the party’s office with bottles.
Several hundred residents of the city of Gornji Milanovac covered the Serbian Progressive Party building with toilet paper.
According to the country’s Interior Minister, Ivica Dačić, as of August 16, six police officers had been injured in the protests and 38 people were detained.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić accused protesters of attempting to destabilize the country.
RBC-Ukraine reported that protests in Serbia intensified on Tuesday, August 12.
The following day in Novi Sad, opponents and supporters of President Vučić threw flares at each other, prompting police intervention.
Meanwhile, in other cities across the country, thousands gathered near local headquarters of the ruling party for protests.
Vučić stated that during the night of August 14, more than 60 protesters and 16 police officers were injured in the demonstrations.
According to Reuters, clashes left 27 police officers and around 80 civilians injured, with 47 people detained.
The Guardian reports that in the past week, during the most active phase of the confrontations, dozens were injured and hundreds were detained.
Cause of the protests in Serbia
Protests in Serbia began in November 2024. On November 1, the roof near the entrance to a railway station in Novi Sad suddenly collapsed, killing 16 people and seriously injuring several others.
Activists blame the tragedy on government negligence and corruption.
Protesters are demanding early parliamentary elections, but Aleksandar Vučić refuses to call them.
