Serbia was gripped by heightened tensions on Saturday ahead of a major rally supporting President Aleksandar Vučić, who has vowed to regain control after months of continuous anti-corruption protests that have seriously shaken his hold on power.
The protest movement, which has grown nationwide, is primarily led by university students demanding justice for the victims who died in November following the collapse of a train station shelter in Novi Sad—a tragedy that sparked widespread public outrage, according to AP.
Serbian authorities have taken measures to suppress the movement, including interrogating students and activists and threatening legal actions to halt the protests.
In preparation for Saturday’s rally, authorities closed off a central area in Belgrade near the parliament building, setting up concert stages, tents, and food stands for thousands of nationalist supporters transported by buses, including groups from neighboring Kosovo and Bosnia.
A park near the presidential palace has been surrounded by dozens of tractors to defend Vučić.
As tensions rise, protesting students have urged Belgrade residents to stay away from Vučić’s rally.
Vučić, who is expected to speak in the evening, said he would present his demands for restoring law and order and resuming university lectures next week. He has labeled the protesting students as “terrorists” aiming to destroy the state.
