More incidents during anti-government protests in Serbia

2025-08-15 07:48:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

In Belgrade and Novi Sad, on Thursday night, incidents were again recorded during protests against the Serbian Government, which were called by students who have been blocking higher education institutions for months.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that at least 42 police officers were injured in the protests, some of them seriously, and 37 people were detained.

He said that the August 14 protests saw "one of the most violent attacks on police in recent years."

"The police reacted and intervened, using chemical means where necessary to repel the attack on themselves. This was an attack on the state. Where does someone get the right to attack a police officer?" Dacic said.

N1 television reported that fireworks were thrown at citizens near the General Staff building in Belgrade. Earlier, Serbian gendarmerie units had pushed demonstrators closer to the Serbian Government building, to separate them from pro-government supporters gathered nearby.

According to Radio Free Europe journalists, a group of men with sticks had gathered earlier near the General Staff. The opposition Green-Left Front published a video on social media, claiming that these people were supporters of the government.

In Novi Sad, a small group of masked demonstrators damaged the offices of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), according to REL journalists. There were no party members in the office and no uniformed police. According to N1, the protesters took out chairs and egg cartons. There were several minor incidents at the protest in Niš, when demonstrators threw eggs at the police, N1 reports.

In Kralevë, citizens have reached the SNS offices and the police have blocked the road where the party's offices and the police headquarters are located, reports N1.

Police have also blocked access to the SNS offices in Leskoc.

A day earlier, during protests in dozens of cities in Serbia, several incidents and clashes were recorded between anti-government protesters and supporters of the government.

Government officials, led by Serbian President Aleksandar Vu?i?, accused the protesters of inciting unrest. For months, in front of the Parliament in Belgrade, supporters of the government have set up tents and blocked one of the city's busiest streets, calling themselves "students who want to learn." According to them, this is a response to massive anti-government protests throughout Serbia.

Student-led protests and blockades in Serbia have been ongoing for more than eight months. The main demand is to determine political and criminal responsibility for the deaths of 16 people in the collapse of a concrete shelter at the Novi Sad Railway Station./ Rel