Tens of thousands rally in Serbia's capital to demand snap elections
Tens of thousands of students and anti-corruption protesters gathered in Belgrade on Saturday, issuing an "ultimatum" for President Aleksandar Vucic to call for early elections by 9 pm (1900 GMT). Serbians have been taking to the streets to denonce rampant corruption in the government since last November, when the roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people.
Tens of thousands of Serbian protesters converged on Belgrade on Saturday to press their demand for early elections after months of student-led strikes.
As the hours-long rally began, massive crowds were building, with more streaming into a major square of the capital, according to AFP journalists.
Carrying Serbian flags and banners, many emblazoned with the names of cities and towns throughout the Balkan nation, the protest began with a rendition of the national anthem.
"We are not the problem, we are the consequence," one banner read.
Read moreWhy has the EU kept silent on Serbia's massive protest movement?
For more than half a year, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths.
Police urged protesters to remain peaceful.
Read more on FRANCE 24 EnglishRead also:Serbian protesters cycle 1,400 kilometres to seek EU support against Vucic regimeThousands protest in Belgrade in biggest rally yet against alleged electoral fraud
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Trump Threatens to Cut Aid to Israel for Stunning Reason
Donald Trump is threatening to withhold U.S. funding for Israel—unless the nation lets Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walk away from his corruption charges. In a lengthy post on Truth Social Saturday, the U.S. president lamented that the Israeli leader should have to 'be forced to sit in a courtroom all day long' while the country is simultaneously attacking Iran and Palestine. 'It is terrible what they are doing in Israel to Bibi Netanyahu. He is a War Hero, and a Prime Minister who did a fabulous job working with the United States to bring Great Success in getting rid of the dangerous Nuclear threat in Iran,' Trump wrote. 'Importantly, he is right now in the process of negotiating a Deal with Hamas, which will include getting the Hostages back. How is it possible that the Prime Minister of Israel can be forced to sit in a Courtroom all day long, over NOTHING (Cigars, Bugs Bunny Doll, etc.).' Netanyahu is accused of requesting and/or demanding regularly delivered expensive gifts from the world's financial elite, including Hollywood mogul Arnon Milchan and Australian billionaire James Packer, the latter of whom moved into a property bordering Mar-a-Lago in March that was believed to be previously owned by Trump. 'It is a POLITICAL WITCH HUNT, very similar to the Witch Hunt that I was forced to endure,' Trump continued. 'This travesty of 'Justice' will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu.' 'The United States of America spends Billions of Dollar a year, far more than on any other Nation, protecting and supporting Israel. We are not going to stand for this. We just had a Great Victory with Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu at the helm—And this greatly tarnishes our Victory. LET BIBI GO, HE'S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!' Trump said. Netanyahu was indicted in 2019 on charges of bribery, fraud, and breach of trust. The trial began the following year, and has split into three criminal cases. In 2021, amidst widespread protests against Netanyahu's leadership over the corruption charges, the Israeli prime minister lost his seat to a new coalition government. He subsequently returned to power the following year, fronting the most far-right and religiously conservative government in the nation's history. By March, polling within the country suggested that the vast majority of Israelis 'don't trust' Netanyahu's government—roughly 70 percent—including his own supporters. But last week, the U.S. president got involved, apparently sympathizing with the unpopular leader by insisting that Bibi's trial should be 'CANCELLED, IMMEDIATELY.' Netanyahu appeared to appreciate the sentiment, thanking Trump at the time 'for your moving support for me and your tremendous support for Israel.' But other Israeli politicians didn't take kindly to the intervention: Opposition leader Yair Lapid said that Trump should not 'intervene in a legal process of an independent state.' Trump's casual disregard for the rule of law should come as no surprise considering his own history facing the court system. Trump has been sued countless times, but has grabbed the national spotlight over the last few years when he was found liable for sexually abusing writer E. Jean Carroll, when he was convicted as a felon for falsifying records to hide hush money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels, when he was ordered to pay out hundreds of millions for defrauding U.S. banks, and when he was charged and indicted in connection to two separate conspiracies to unroot the result of the 2020 presidential election. Those all dramatically came to a close when Trump was inaugurated on January 20.
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Yahoo
Serbian police remove barricades and make new arrests as protesters block roads
Serbian police removed street barricades in the capital Belgrade that are part of persistent dissent against the government of populist President Aleksandar Vucic. Demonstrators are demanding the release of dozens of university students and others arrested after a massive weekend rally, accused of attacking the police or plotting to overthrow the government. Police dismantled metal fences and moved garbage containers blocking traffic in Belgrade's Zemun district on Monday, while several dozen protesters raised their hands in the air and chanted anti-government slogans. Police also intervened separately in a city centre area. Protesters later changed tactics and continuously walked over a pedestrian crossing, thus blocking traffic again. The protests and blockades began after a train station canopy collapsed in November, killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blamed the tragedy on corruption-fuelled negligence in state infrastructure projects. Thousands of demonstrators halted traffic at various locations in Belgrade and elsewhere throughout the country on Sunday evening, including a key bridge over the Sava River in the capital. Police removed those blockades early on Monday. Police said in a statement that a number of people were detained but did not specify how many. Video posted on social media showed police vehicles driving at high speed through a blockade in one Belgrade street and people fleeing in panic. Mr Vucic praised police action in a statement during a visit to Spain, saying: 'Citizens should not worry, the state is strong enough to secure law and order.' On Saturday, tens of thousands of people demanded a snap parliamentary election at a student-led rally they hope will oust Mr Vucic's right-wing government. Groups of protesters clashed with police after the official part of the rally ended. Dozens were later detained. Mr Vucic has refused to call the election, which is scheduled to be held in 2027. University students and professors are a key force behind nearly eight months of almost daily protests and Mr Vucic has accused them of 'terror' and attempts to destroy the country. Riot police used batons, pepper spray and shields to charge at demonstrators who threw rocks and other objects at police cordons. Nearly 40 people face criminal charges over the clashes, police said. Authorities detained at least eight university students for alleged acts against the constitutional order and national security, accusing them of planning attacks on state institutions. Critics say Mr Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power over a decade ago, stifling democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organised crime to flourish, which he has denied. Serbia is formally seeking entry to the European Union, but Mr Vucic's government has nourished relations with Russia and China.
News24
8 hours ago
- News24
Former Transnet executives, Siyabonga Gama & Brian Molefe, arrested over R93 million locomotive tender fraud
A high-profile case involving corruption, fraud, and money laundering charges has led to the arrest of two former Transnet CEO's, Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama who turned themselves in to authorities on Monday, June 30, 2025. Brian Molefe is a current member of Parliament for the MK party led by former president Jacob Zuma. Read more | Controversial pastor's wife, Queen Nandi forcefully evicted from her mansion The charges relate to a 2012 tender for locomotive transaction advisory services awarded to a consortium led by McKinsey & Company - a global management consulting firm. Charges include an amount of R93 million given to Trillian Capital, a company with alleged ties to the Gupta family, for securing funding for locomotive purchases. Additionally, the contract for 1064 locomotives was allegedly initially awarded to global investment bank JP Morgan in May 2015, but was cancelled and subsequently awarded to Trillian Capital in October 2015. Investigations allege that a payment of approximately R93.4 million was made to Trillian Capital on December 3, 2015, after an invoice was submitted by Daniel Roy, a director Trillian. The payment was reportedly approved by Garry Pita and Gama. Three days after receiving the payment, Trillian Capital transferred R74 million to Albatime, a company owned by Kuben Moodley, without any known reason, according to Investigative Directorate. The matter is also included in a forensic report and the findings of the Zondo Commission, which implicated Molefe and others in siphoning funds from Transnet, the state-owned entity responsible for rail and port operations. The commission recommended that the police investigate Molefe, Gama, and others for their alleged roles in corruption. A 2018 forensic report also found that Molefe misled the Transnet board about the project's costs and entity's obligation to inform the then-public enterprises minister Malusi Gigaba about the spike in costs. The estimated cost of the project increased significantly, from approximately R38 billion in 2012 to over R50 billion. Other accused individuals include former CFO's Anoj Singh and Garry Phita, former treasurer Phetolo Ramosebudi, Regiments Capital Directors - Litha Nyhonyha and Niven Pillay, Regiments shareholder - Eric Wood, and Trillian Asset Management director - Daniel Roy. All the accused appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court today, Monday, June 30, 2025, where they applied for bail.
