Thousands of anti-government protesters marched again on Monday in Serbia, as riot police equipped with batons pursued them through central Belgrade. The unrest prompted President Aleksandar Vučić to reiterate his pledge for a strong crackdown on demonstrators.
The protests began peacefully but escalated when a group of youths suspected to be football hooligans broke away from the main crowd, throwing stones at the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) offices, breaking windows.
Police intervened using armored vehicles to disperse the crowd, causing panic and mass retreat, according to AP.
Serbia has been gripped by mass protests since last November, following the collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. Initially student-led and largely peaceful, the demonstrations escalated last week.
The ongoing unrest has increased pressure on Vučić, who has refused protesters’ demands for early parliamentary elections. On Sunday, the president announced harsh measures against demonstrators after several days of street unrest, repeating claims that the protests are orchestrated by the West to undermine Serbia.
“Our country is in great danger; they have put all our values, normal life, and every individual at risk,” Vučić stated.
