President announces more arrests after a massive anti-government protest

BELGRADE (AP)

Serbia’s president announced Sunday more arrests of anti-government protesters following clashes with police at a massive rally demanding an early parliamentary election. Dozens have already been detained.

Aleksandar Vučić, at a press conference, accused organisers of Saturday’s student-led protest in the capital, Belgrade, of inciting violence and attacks on police, urging legal prosecution. He also criticised “terrorists and those who tried to bring down the state,” singling out University of Belgrade’s head dean, Vladan Djokić, who was among the protesters.

Tens of thousands of people attended the rally held after nearly eight months of persistent dissent, which has rattled Vučić’s firm grip on power in the Balkan country. Protesters also declared the current populist government “illegitimate” and laid the responsibility for any violence on the government.

Clashes with riot police erupted after the official part of the rally ended. Police used pepper spray, batons and shields while protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects.

Police said on Sunday that 48 officers were injured while 22 protesters sought medical help. Out of 77 people detained, 38 remain in custody, most of whom are facing criminal charges, said Interior Minister Ivica Dačić.

“There will be more arrests,” Vučić said. “Identification of all individuals is under way.”

The protests started after a renovated rail station canopy collapsed in November, killing 16 people. Many in Serbia blamed the tragedy in the northern city of Novi Sad on corruption-fuelled negligence in state infrastructure projects.

Vučić has repeatedly rejected an immediate snap vote instead of the one planned for 2027.

“Serbia won. You cannot destroy Serbia with violence,” Vučić said. “They consciously wanted to spur bloodshed. The time of accountability is coming.”

Critics say Vučić has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power over a decade ago, stifling democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish. He has denied this.

Serbia is formally seeking European Union entry, but Vučić’s government has nourished its relations with both Russia and China.