Serbia's police detain hundreds during violent anti-government protests
The three days of clashes between the police and loyalists of autocratic president Aleksandar Vucic on one side and the anti-government protesters on the other left dozens injured or detained.
The unrest in the capital, Belgrade, and throughout Serbia this week marked a serious escalation of more than nine months of largely peaceful demonstrations led by Serbia's university students that have shaken Mr Vucic's firm grip on power in the Balkan country.
Another protest, under the slogan 'Let's show them we are not a punching bag', was held on Friday night throughout Serbia.
Police deployed armoured vehicles in parts of the capital as protesters faced off against riot police separating them from Mr Vucic's supporters in downtown Belgrade.
The protests that have rattled Mr Vucic first started in November after a renovated train station canopy collapsed in Serbia's north, killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blame the tragedy on alleged corruption-fuelled negligence in state infrastructure projects.
Mr Vucic praised the police for their conduct during the latest demonstrations, saying he will propose additional bonuses for the officers.
Speaking with state TV broadcaster RTS, he repeated his claim that the protests were inspired by the West with the intention of toppling him from power.
He has not provided any evidence for the claim.
Several social media posts from this week show baton-wielding riot police beating people to the ground and then kicking them with their boots before they were handcuffed.
The apparent targets were often women and young people.
Serbia's interior minister Ivica Dacic denied on Friday that police used excessive force, blaming the demonstrators for allegedly attacking the officers, who were protecting themselves with riot shields.
'The police were massively and brutally attacked without any provocation. There were violent attempts to breach the cordons,' Mr Dacic said.
'Last night, 75 police officers were injured, and several vehicles were damaged. Those who spread lies about police brutality should comment on this fact.'
Opposition leaders called for Mr Dacic to be removed from office.
'They are beating up people on the streets,' said opposition leader Dragan Djilas.
'They also beat up politicians, literally anyone who opposes Aleksandar Vucic, with the clear goal of inflicting serious bodily harm on them.'
Another social media video purported to show several young detainees kneeling with their faces to the wall as police officers stood to attention behind them.
Some of the apparent detainees had bloodstains on their backs.
The EU's commissioner for enlargement Marta Kos earlier this week said the reports of violence at the protests were 'deeply concerning'.
Serbia is formally seeking EU membership, but Mr Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China.
The Serbian president has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms while allowing organised crime and corruption to flourish, which he has denied.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Zelensky must be at future peace talks, Starmer says after Trump-Putin summit
The Prime Minister said the US president's actions had 'brought us closer than ever before' to an end to the war in Ukraine. But he insisted insisted Ukraine's leader must take part in future peace talks after speaking with Mr Trump and Nato allies in the wake of the US president's negotiations with Vladimir Putin. The American leader had hoped to secure a peace deal from the talks in Alaska, but both he and his Russian counterpart walked away without agreement on how to end the war in Ukraine. Mr Trump, however, insisted 'some great progress' was made, with 'many points' agreed and 'very few' remaining. Ukraine's president Mr Zelensky is due to fly to Washington DC on Monday to meet Mr Trump, with the aim of paving the way to further talks. Sir Keir spent Saturday morning speaking to western allies in the wake of the Anchorage summit. Following the round of calls, the Prime Minister said: 'President Trump's efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia's illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended. 'While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelensky. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him.' Overnight, the Ministry of Defence said British troops now stand ready to police a future peace deal as soon as one is agreed. The allied peacekeeping effort, the so-called coalition of the willing, would rely upon a 'security guarantee' of air support from the US to prevent future Russian aggression in Ukraine. Sir Keir suggested such an arrangement was now in place, something which Mr Trump has previously been reluctant to publicly confirm. The Prime Minister welcomed 'the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal'. 'This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more,' he added. In a joint statement with leaders from key Nato allies including France, Germany, Italy, Poland and Finland, Sir Keir also said the coalition of the willing is 'ready to play an active role'. The leaders added: 'No limitations should be placed on Ukraine's armed forces or on its co-operation with third countries. Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine's pathway to EU and Nato.' Allies plan to 'keep tightening the screws' on Mr Putin with 'even more sanctions', Sir Keir also said. Mr Zelensky, who spoke with Mr Trump in a one-on-one call on Saturday morning before European leaders joined, laid out what he wanted to see from an end to fighting. Today, following a conversation with President Trump, we further coordinated positions with European leaders. The positions are clear. A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions. Killings must stop as soon as… — Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) August 16, 2025 Writing on social media site X, he said: 'A real peace must be achieved, one that will be lasting, not just another pause between Russian invasions.' A ceasefire must include an end to fighting on land, in the sea and the air, he said, and all prisoners of war, as well as captured civilians – including children – must be returned. Sanctions on Moscow 'should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war', Mr Zelensky added. After the summit with Mr Putin at an air base in Anchorage, Alaska, the US president suggested there were only a few major stumbling blocks holding up the prospect of a peace deal. Speaking to Fox News, he said it was up to Mr Zelensky to 'make a deal' to end the war. Writing on his Truth Social platform after the summit, Mr Trump said he hoped Monday's meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart in the Oval Office could pave the way for three-way talks with Mr Putin. The American leader added: 'Potentially, millions of people's lives will be saved. Thank you for your attention to this matter!'
The Guardian
3 hours ago
- The Guardian
Violent clashes escalate at anti-government protests in Serbia
Anti-government protests in Serbia escalated on Friday night amid reports of police brutality and excessive use of force. It was the fourth day of unrest in cities across the Balkan country, including in the capital, Belgrade, where police fired teargas at demonstrators and tried to separate rival groups of protesters. Dozens of people have been injured in the violent clashes, while hundreds have been detained over the past week, as nine months of largely peaceful anti-corruption and pro-democracy protests have reached boiling point. On Friday night, Serbia's president, Aleksandar Vučić, said the state was stronger than any protest and praised the police for their conduct during the latest demonstrations. 'This is the phase of despair and helplessness, when you have nothing more to offer the citizens except beatings, clubs, and all the rest,' he told the national TV broadcaster RTS. Serbia's interior minister, Ivica Dačić, denied that police had used excessive force, instead blaming demonstrators for allegedly attacking the officers. Videos on social media showed police with shields and batons beating up protesters as flares lit up the streets. The rallies on Friday were held under the slogan: 'Let's show them we are not a punching bag.' Demonstrators reportedly threw rocks and eggs at police, who then charged at them in the wide boulevard in front of the Serbian government headquarters. The clashes were between riot police, anti-government protesters, and Vučić loyalists. The pro-government demonstrators have been accused of hurling fireworks, rocks and glass bottles at anti-government protesters. In the northern city of Novi Sad on Thursday night, anti-government protesters attacked the headquarters of the ruling Serbian Progressive party, or SNS, chanting 'he is finished' as they smashed windows and covered walls with red paint. The student-led protests began in November last year after the collapse of part of the outdoor roof at Novi Sad railway station killed 16 people. Many blamed the tragedy on entrenched corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects. Vigils for the victims swiftly escalated into mass demonstrations, with hundreds of thousands of Serbians demanding an investigation into the tragedy, as well as early elections. Sign up to Headlines Europe A digest of the morning's main headlines from the Europe edition emailed direct to you every week day after newsletter promotion The protests have rocked the Serbian government, causing Miloš Vučević, the prime minister at the time of the Novi Sad disaster, to resign and the end of his cabinet. Yet Vučić remains in power, despite accusations that he has stifled democratic freedoms while allowing corruption to flourish. Alain Berset, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, wrote on X on Friday that he was 'concerned' by the violent protests in Serbia. 'I call for calm and respect of the right to peaceful assembly. Serbian authorities must uphold Council of Europe standards. The rule of law and respect for human rights must prevail.'
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Seán Kelly reconsidering presidential bid after McGuinness withdrawal
MEP Seán Kelly says he's reconsidering whether to run for the presidency after Mairead McGuinness withdrew from the running. Ms McGuinness, who had secured the Fine Gael nomination, has withdrawan for health reasons. Advertisement Former MEP Frances Fitzgerald has also reaffirmed her position, as she confirmed she will not be putting her hat in the ring. Seán Kelly, who initially ruled himself out, said the goalposts have now moved. Mr Kelly told Newstalk: "You'll have to definitely reconsider. I didn't look for a nomination the last time, but I'm going to reconsider. "Fine Gael will have a meeting now and they will decide on their strategy, and then I'll see what I will do after that." Advertisement Mr Kelly is likely to face competition from former minister Heather Humphreys, who also initially ruled herself out of the running. Speaking on Thursday, Fine Gael leader Simon Harris said senior party members will meet over the coming days to consider its next steps. Ms Humphreys previously said said she was flattered to be considered before withdrawing her name. 'I want to spend more time with family and friends, and I want to do other things," she said at the time. Ireland Poll: Who would you vote for in the presidential e... Read More There was shock in Fine Gael when Ms Humphreys decided not to contest the most recent general election. The former Cavan-Monaghan TD is still highly-thought of in the party and sources indicated she would be a strong contender. Independent TD Catherine Connolly formally launched her bid to become Ireland's next president last month, saying she wants to 'empower people' to find their own voices. Gareth Sheridan , former CEO of US-based company Nutriband, has also launched his presidential bid. The 35-year-old would become the youngest ever president if he was to be elected.
