Serbia Police Clash With Anti Govt Protestors Seeking Early Vote, Fire Tear Gas, Arrest Dozens

2025-06-28 10:09:20

(MENAFN- Live Mint) As the clash with anti-government protesters seeking snap elections and a stop to President Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year rule took place on Saturday evening, Serbia police placed numerous officers in riot gear near parliament, government buildings and around Pionirski Park, where crowds of Vučić supporters from all over the country assembled for a counter-protest.

It occurred in large numbers after around eight months of continuous disagreements led by Serbia's university students, which has shaken Vučić's tight hold on power in the Balkan nation.

Serbia police and anti-government protestors face off: 10 updates

“We want elections!" calls were heard as they gathered around the capital's central Slavija Square and many blocks around it, with several couldn't reach the spot. Demonstrators shouted“Keep the shields down” asking police to not come in their way.

Police fired tear-gas, handcuffed many, while six officers and some citizens were hurt.

3. The demonstrators, in scarfs and masks on their faces, hurled plastic bottles, eggs and other objects at law enforcement personnel who were avoiding the crowd from coming near to a downtown park.

4. The protest got over around 10 pm ((2000 GMT).

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5. According to a student,“Elections are a clear way out of the social crisis caused by the deeds of the government, which is undoubtedly against the interests of their own people. Today, on June 28, 2025, we declare the current authorities illegitimate", PTI reported. Students informed the crowd to“take freedom into your own hands".

6. The police said 36,000 people came at the beginning of the protest on Saturday. An independent monitoring group that tracks public gatherings stated nearly 140,000 people took part in the the student-led massive demonstration.

7. Serbia's Interior Minister Ivica Dacic mentioned that the people who joined the protest hit the police, adding the police used their powers in order to have public order and“arrest all those who attacked the police".

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8. Vučić presented presidential awards in the capital to individuals he considered deserving, comprising artists and journalists.“People need not worry - the state will be defended and thugs brought to justice," he said.

9. Authorities took similar actions in March, ahead of the largest anti-government protest in the Balkan nation's history, which attracted hundreds of thousands of participants.

10. Serbian presidential and parliamentary elections are scheduled to take place in 2027.

(With inputs from Reuters, AP and PTI)

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