Latest news with #Valjevo
Russia Today
a day ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Serbian leader promising ‘decisive action' against protests
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has pledged to take tough measures to restore order after anti-government protests across the country turned violent this week. On Saturday, demonstrators in the western town of Valjevo set fire to the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) following three days of clashes with riot police. Earlier in the week, protesters in Novi Sad stormed and damaged an SNS headquarters, leaving over 60 people injured. In a televised address on Sunday, Vucic accused the rioters of 'pure terrorism' and suggested the protests were orchestrated from abroad. 'Our country is in grave danger… Unless we undertake tougher steps it is a question of days when [the protesters] will kill someone,' Vucic warned. Protests in Serbia first broke out in 2024 after a railway station roof collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Demonstrators alleged government corruption and demanded early elections. Vucic has repeatedly suggested the violence is an attempt at regime change, a view also shared by Russia. The Kremlin said in June that anti-government demonstrations in Serbia could be an attempted 'color revolution,' and expressed confidence that the Serbian leadership could restore calm. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov urged Western nations to refrain from interfering in Serbia's domestic affairs. Serbia is formally seeking EU membership. However, Vucic has maintained historically strong ties with Moscow, relying on it for discounted natural gas supplies. EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos earlier this week called the reports of violence 'deeply concerning.' Brussels has suggested that the Belgrade's handling of the unrest could impact Serbia's path to EU accession.
The National
a day ago
- Politics
- The National
Best photos of August 17: Largest paper balloon to protests in Serbia
A demonstrator stands before riot police officers at an anti-government rally in Valjevo, the fifth night of unrest across Serbia in protest against the party of right-wing President Aleksandar Vucic. AFP
Al Jazeera
a day ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Riot police clash with protesters in Serbia
NewsFeed Riot police clash with protesters in Serbia Anti-government protests in Serbia turned violent as riot police clashed with demonstrators in several cities, including Belgrade and Valjevo. Protesters vandalised offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), marking a major escalation in the nine-month-long movement against government corruption.
Al Jazeera
2 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Photos: Protesters clash with police, torch Serbia's ruling party offices
Published On 17 Aug 2025 17 Aug 2025 Protesters have clashed with riot police in Serbia's capital, Belgrade, and other cities, on the fifth consecutive night of demonstrations against the government of right-wing President Aleksandar Vucic. Clashes also broke out in Belgrade late on Saturday after police stopped demonstrators heading for the governing Serbian Progressive Party's (SNS) headquarters. Late on Saturday, thousands gathered in the central city of Valjevo to show their growing anger against the government, while a small group of masked young men attacked the empty offices of the governing SNS party, setting them alight. They subsequently clashed with riot police, with protesters throwing fireworks and rocks as the officers responded with stun grenades and tear gas. Some clashes were also reported in the northern city of Novi Sad, the country's second largest. Almost daily protests have gripped Serbia since November, following the collapse of a railway station roof that killed 16 people. The tragedy became a symbol of deep-rooted corruption in the Balkan nation, with demands for a transparent investigation growing into calls for early elections. At their height, the protests drew hundreds of thousands onto the streets. However, the mostly peaceful demonstrations deteriorated earlier this week when large groups of pro-government supporters – many masked and some armed with batons and fireworks – attacked protesters. That has led to violent clashes for several nights, leaving many injured on both sides. Protests were further heightened after several videos shared online showed police striking unarmed demonstrators with batons. Police have denied allegations of brutality, accusing demonstrators of attacking officers. While the protests have so far led to the resignation of the prime minister and the collapse of the government, President Vucic has remained defiant. He has repeatedly rejected calls for early elections and denounced the demonstrations as part of a foreign plot to overthrow him.
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Protesters attack government offices in Serbia (VIDEOS)
Fresh clashes between anti-government demonstrators and police have erupted in Serbia after offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) were set on fire. President Aleksandar Vucic has condemned the unrest, earlier stating that it was being fueled from abroad. New clashes began on Wednesday in Valjevo, about 100km west of Belgrade, after videos of police using force against protesters spread online. The footage spurred rallies in several cities, with opposition groups accusing authorities of heavy-handed tactics. Clips posted online showed masked demonstrators throwing flares and stones at empty SNS offices, breaking windows before flames broke out inside. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze. 🇷🇸🚨 BREAKING: Clashes on the streets of Serbia! Offices of the ruling pro-EU party are on in Serbia are destroying the offices of President Aleksandar Vučić's party. Riot police were deployed in Belgrade and other cities on Saturday night as videos showed protesters hurling flares at officers and police vehicles. Ni žandarima nije jasno zašto se mili narod ne pomera i ne beži. Valjevo 26 cm Vucic described the violence as 'an expression of total weakness' and promised to 'punish the bullies.' 'Alongside all the bad things happening to our country and to us, there is one good thing – all the masks are off. People see everything: the protesters' nervousness and hysteria are growing, and the violence is becoming more obvious, because they have nothing left to offer,' he said in a video message on Saturday. 'The time of accountability has come, and everyone who burned and destroyed will be held responsible and punished for their crimes.' He added that 'no civil war' would be allowed and that 'no one is stronger than the state, even with foreign support.' Vucic argued earlier this week that the unrest in Serbia was largely fueled from abroad, drawing parallels with the 'color revolutions' seen in other countries. In a related statement, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed the European Union is seeking to topple the governments of Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia because they prioritize national interests over alignment with Brussels. The unrest has 'far exceeded civilized protest,' Russia's Foreign Ministry said, adding that Moscow 'cannot remain unresponsive' to events in 'brotherly Serbia' and expressed confidence that stability would be restored. Student-led protests first broke out in 2024 after a railway station roof collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Protesters alleged government corruption and demanded early elections.
