Tens of thousands of protesters gathered in central Belgrade two days ago, demanding early elections and an end to the decade-long rule of Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, whom they accuse of corruption.
Crowds filled Slavija Square, one of the main hubs of the Serbian capital, in a new escalation of demonstrations that began around a year and a half ago, after the collapse of a roof at the railway station in Novi Sad left 15 people dead.
Police estimated that 34,300 people gathered in the square and surrounding streets. The Archive of Public Gatherings, a group monitoring public assemblies, estimated attendance at around 100,000 people.
The large-scale protests in Serbia began 1.5 years ago after the collapse of a roof at the central railway station in Novi Sad, which killed 15 people.
Meanwhile, Aleksandar Vucic said from Beijing, where he is on an official visit, that he “may resign soon,” one year before the presidential elections. However, he denies accusations of corruption and repression against critics, while also claiming that measures have been taken to punish those responsible for the roof collapse.
He also accused the organizers of the protest of being responsible for the clashes that erupted between police and demonstrators near the presidential palace.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said that 23 people had been arrested, according to the Tanjug news agency, adding that several police officers were injured during the clashes, without providing details about the severity or number of injuries.
Source: Reuters
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