Clashes erupt at Serbian anti-government protests, with dozens injured
[August 13, 2025]
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Clashes erupted at protests in Serbia
between opponents and supporters of the government in an escalation of
tensions following more than nine months of persistent demonstrations
against populist President Aleksandar Vucic.
Incidents first started on Tuesday evening in Vrbas, northwest of the
capital Belgrade, where riot police separated protesters from the
opposed camps outside the ruling Serbian Progressive Party offices in
the town. |
An image taken from video shows fireworks flying as clashes erupted at
protests in Vrbas, Serbia, Tuesday, Aug. 12, between opponents and
supporters of the government in an escalation of tensions following more
than nine months of persistent demonstrations against populist President
Aleksandar Vucic. (N1 Serbia via AP) |
|
Video footages from the scene showed government supporters
throwing flares, rocks and bottles at the protesters, who hurled
back various objects. Police said dozens of people were injured,
including 16 policemen. Similar incidents were reported at
protests in other parts of the country.
The student-led protests in Serbia first started in November
after a train station canopy collapse in the northern city of
Novi Sad killed 16 people, triggering accusations of corruption
in state infrastructure projects.
Protests have since drawn hundreds of thousands of people,
shaking Vucic's firm grip on power in Serbia. The president's
supporters have recently started organizing
counter-demonstrations, fueling fears of violence.
Police said several people were detained after the clashes in
Vrbas. Police Commissioner Dragan Vasiljevic told the state RTS
television that the protesters “came to attack” the ruling party
supporters outside the party offices.
Protesters have said government supporters attacked them first
in Vrbas and also further south in Backa Palanka and later in
Novi Sad and the southern city of Nis. In Belgrade, riot police
pushed away protesters who gathered in a downtown area.
Protests in Serbia since November have been largely peaceful.
Led by university students, the protesters are demanding that
Vucic calls an early parliamentary election which he has
refused. Protesting students have also called for the ouster of
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic over recent violence at
demonstrations.
Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership but Vucic
has maintained strong ties with Russia and China. He has faced
accusations of stifling democratic freedoms since coming to
power 13 years ago.
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