BELGRADE – Serbia’s president revealed on Sunday that more anti-government protesters are set to be arrested after confrontations with police occurred during a large rally calling for an early parliamentary election. Many individuals have already been taken into custody.
Aleksandar Vucic, during a press briefing, blamed the organizers of the student-led demonstration in Belgrade for provoking violence and police assaults, and called for legal action against them. He also condemned “terrorists and those attempting to overthrow the state,” specifically mentioning Vladan Djokic, the University of Belgrade’s head dean, who was among the participants.
Thousands of people joined the protest after nearly eight months of ongoing dissent, which has challenged Vucic’s strong hold on power in the region. The demonstrators labeled the current populist administration as “illegitimate” and attributed any acts of violence to 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.
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