37 people detained during anti-government protests in Serbia
In Belgrade and the city of Novi Sad, hundreds of anti-government demonstrators clashed with supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić on Sunday evening, resulting in the detention of 37 people.
According to Ukrrinform, Reuters reported the news.
During the protests in Belgrade and Novi Sad — where part of the roof at the city’s railway station tragically collapsed last year — both groups of demonstrators were seen throwing flares.
On Sunday, protesters gathered near the Serbian parliament in Belgrade in support of Dijana Hrka, who had begun a hunger strike after her son was among the 16 victims killed in the Novi Sad incident.
Hrka and her supporters were separated by barricades from a tent camp of Vučić’s supporters, who have blocked the boulevard in front of the parliament since March.
Reuters footage showed police intervening and dispersing the crowd after protesters began throwing flares. Meanwhile, Vučić’s supporters played loud music through speakers, which further angered the demonstrators.
According to the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs, at least 37 people were detained on Monday.
As reported by Ukrinform, on 1 November 2024, part of the exterior roof of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, killing more than 10 people.
Since then, anti-government protests have been ongoing in Serbia, led mainly by students. Demonstrators have blamed the tragedy on corruption, negligence, violations of safety standards during construction, and cronyism among Serbia’s political elite.
On 28 January, Prime Minister Miloš Vučević announced his resignation amid the wave of protests.
Photo: AA