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Violence in Belgrade, dozens arrested

2023-12-25 11:52:33, Kosova & Bota CNA

Last night, large police forces violently dispersed the demonstrators gathered in the center of Belgrade, in the seventh protest of the Serbian opposition, after the last elections. The opposition claims that the elections in Belgrade and Serbia were manipulated by the ruling SNS party of President Aleksandar Vucic and demands the cancellation and re-run of the elections.

In last night's protest in front of the town hall in Belgrade, where there was also physical violence and broken windows, 35 people were arrested. The opposition accused the government of violence while dispersing the demonstrators.

Violence during protests

Violence in Belgrade, dozens arrested

The incidents started when the representatives of the opposition list "Serbia against violence" tried to enter the Belgrade City Hall building, in order to address the citizens from the balcony of the building. They pushed the door, but did not manage to enter, as they were prevented by force. from the police.

A part of the protesters broke the windows of the doors and lights of the building. The police responded with tear gas. Following the rally, the police dispersed the protesters and arrested 35 people.

Serbian President Vucic addressed the public last night with the words that the meeting of the Security Council was also held to discuss the situation, stressing that the riots were instigated from outside. Vucic called the demonstrators "thugs" who will not succeed in destabilizing the state and said that "this is not a revolution". Student protests have been announced for today in Belgrade, which will block traffic in the city center for two hours.

German media about the situation in Belgrade

The news agency "DPA" writes that "protesters gathered in Beogad tried to force their way into the town hall building. While the police used tear gas." DPA also announces the arrests of dozens of people.

Other media also report on the developments in Belgrade, but mainly with shorter news and information, where it is said that the opposition suspects serious fraud in the past elections in Serbia.

The German media also quotes the president of Serbia, Vucic, who says that there is "strong evidence" that the violence was planned from abroad and that we are not dealing with any "revolution".

The "Bild" newspaper recalls that international observers have concluded that there were "irregularities" during the elections and that violence against the demonstrators was seen in Belgrade. "Bild" also recalls the reaction of the Foreign Ministry of Germany, which states that such violations of the rules during the elections are not compatible with a country applying for EU membership./ DW