WATCH protesters attack Belgrade city hall
Violent clashes broke out between opposition protesters and law enforcement outside the city hall in the Serbian capital Belgrade on Thursday, as demonstrators attempted to disrupt a session of the city legislature, local media have reported.
Footage from the Ruptly video agency showed several dozen protesters blocking traffic outside the building, which is home to the City Assembly of Belgrade, before trying to breach metal barriers set up by police. Officers in riot gear pushed back the crowd as demonstrators threw eggs and bags of red paint at the building and pepper-sprayed police. Reports also claimed that at least one journalist was attacked while trying to enter the building during the scuffle.
Eight police officers sustained injuries requiring medical attention, while five protesters were detained, according to reports citing authorities.
Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic condemned the incident, calling it an 'act of terrorism' by the opposition. She stressed, however, that the assembly successfully passed scheduled motions, including budget revisions for the city's public utility companies and urban planning regulations.
Thursday's clashes came two days after opposition MPs disrupted a session inside Serbia's National Assembly, setting off smoke grenades and tear gas to protest against the government. Some lawmakers rushed the speaker's chair, leading to a scuffle with security guards. Two female MPs were injured, with one reportedly suffering a stroke.
This week's protests follow months of student-led demonstrations against alleged corruption and government negligence in Serbia. The protests were initially triggered by the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station last November, which claimed 15 lives. The situation has led to public outrage throughout the country, and prompted the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. Protesters have since been calling for systemic government reforms, while the opposition has questioned the government's legitimacy in passing legislation following the prime minister's resignation.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic earlier accused foreign actors of fueling the unrest to destabilize the country. Last month, Vucic claimed that opposition forces were collaborating with Western, Croatian, and Albanian intelligence agencies to incite a 'color revolution' in Serbia, but vowed that his government would not back down.
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