(MENAFN) Speaker of the Serbian National Assembly, Ana Brnabic, has alleged that demonstrators opposing the government in Belgrade are advocating for a civil conflict, following a student-organized protest that turned confrontational with security forces.

The most recent turbulence unfolded on Saturday, after officials refused to comply with an ultimatum from protest leaders who demanded the disbanding of the legislative body and the scheduling of snap elections.

The demonstration took place on Vidovdan, a symbolic public observance commemorating Serbia’s historic 1389 confrontation with the Ottoman Empire at Kosovo Field.

In a message posted on X, Brnabic – who previously held the position of prime minister between 2017 and 2024 – included a video showing the final moments of the rally, where one of the leaders tells attendees to “take freedom into your own hands.”

“They didn’t end their gathering by shouting ‘Long live Serbia.’ They ended it with a chilling call to murder Serbia – a monstrous and open call for civil war,” Brnabic stated.

In a different post, she also accused neighboring Croatia of being complicit in stirring the turmoil, claiming that Zagreb is attempting to oust Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

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