On Saturday night, protests in Belgrade escalated when anti-government demonstrators clashed with supporters of President Aleksandar Vučić, resulting in a significant police presence and numerous injuries. The unrest concluded around 10 p.m. as some protesters sought to confront a counter-protest supporting Vučić.
Authorities deployed large numbers of riot police around significant government sites, including the parliament and Pionirski Park. Reports indicate that protesters threw various projectiles, including bottles and flares, prompting police to take action to disperse them at multiple locations across the city center.
President Vučić addressed the situation via Instagram, stating, “you cannot defeat Serbia with violence,” and he praised law enforcement for their “patriotic, serious approach” to handling the escalation with minimal force.
According to Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, nearly 50 police officers and over 20 civilians were injured during the confrontations. He condemned the violence, asserting that the police would implement all necessary measures to restore peace and protect public order. Overnight, authorities arrested 77 protesters, with 38 individuals still detained facing criminal or misdemeanor charges.
In response to the chaos, student leaders of the protests accused the government of exacerbating the situation, asserting, “They (authorities) … opted for violence and repression against the people. Every radicalization of the situation is their responsibility.”