Latest news with #ArchiveofPublicGatherings
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Thousands block roads in another night of Serbian protests
BELGRADE: Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities on Sunday, as demonstrations calling for snap elections continued into a second night following Saturday's huge rally in the capital. On Saturday, around 140,000 people rallied in central Belgrade, the latest gathering in over half a year of demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people in a disaster widely blamed on shoddy construction resulting from entrenched corruption. Anti-graft activists, responding to the arrest of a "large number of citizens" in the wake of the protest, called for more action - with thousands responding to set up dozens of blockades around the capital. At the key Autokomanda junction, protesters were setting up tents preparing to stay overnight, according to an AFP photographer. Protesters posted images of similar blockades from several other cities, including Novi Sad, and published plans for dozens of similar protests around the country. Local media and videos posted by protesters showed large crowds streaming onto major bridges, and students forming barriers from bins and fences. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told local station Pink TV that authorities were monitoring the situation. Earlier on Sunday, President Aleksandar Vucic remained defiant against protesters' demands for early elections, accusing the student-led movement of causing "terror" "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a televised speech. 'Not a moment for withdrawal' Clashes with police after Saturday's rally ended with dozens of arrests, as riot officers used tear gas and batons to attempt to disperse a crowd that also threw bottles and flares. Authorities said 48 officers had been injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Dacic said 22 people had sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. Ahead of Sunday's blockades, eight people were arrested on accusations including planning to block roads and attack state institutions "in order to violently change the state order", the Higher Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Police said they had detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody following Saturday's rally. "This is not a moment for withdrawal," protest organisers said on Instagram, encouraging people to gather outside the prosecutors' office and demand their release. But Vucic insisted "there will be many more arrested for attacking police. This is not the end." He said there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who want to destroy the state". 'Take freedom' Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he had dismissed well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister and a cabinet reshuffle. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become routine ahead of large demonstrations. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands". "The authorities had all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement.
The Sun
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Mass protests in Serbia demand snap elections, block roads
BELGRADE: Thousands of protesters blocked major roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities on Sunday, as demonstrations calling for snap elections continued into a second night following Saturday's huge rally in the capital. On Saturday, around 140,000 people rallied in central Belgrade, the latest gathering in over half a year of demonstrations triggered by the collapse of a train station roof in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people in a disaster widely blamed on shoddy construction resulting from entrenched corruption. Anti-graft activists, responding to the arrest of a "large number of citizens" in the wake of the protest, called for more action - with thousands responding to set up dozens of blockades around the capital. At the key Autokomanda junction, protesters were setting up tents preparing to stay overnight, according to an AFP photographer. Protesters posted images of similar blockades from several other cities, including Novi Sad, and published plans for dozens of similar protests around the country. Local media and videos posted by protesters showed large crowds streaming onto major bridges, and students forming barriers from bins and fences. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told local station Pink TV that authorities were monitoring the situation. Earlier on Sunday, President Aleksandar Vucic remained defiant against protesters' demands for early elections, accusing the student-led movement of causing "terror" "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a televised speech. 'Not a moment for withdrawal' Clashes with police after Saturday's rally ended with dozens of arrests, as riot officers used tear gas and batons to attempt to disperse a crowd that also threw bottles and flares. Authorities said 48 officers had been injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Dacic said 22 people had sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. Ahead of Sunday's blockades, eight people were arrested on accusations including planning to block roads and attack state institutions "in order to violently change the state order", the Higher Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. Police said they had detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody following Saturday's rally. "This is not a moment for withdrawal," protest organisers said on Instagram, encouraging people to gather outside the prosecutors' office and demand their release. But Vucic insisted "there will be many more arrested for attacking police. This is not the end." He said there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who want to destroy the state". 'Take freedom' Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he had dismissed well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister and a cabinet reshuffle. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become routine ahead of large demonstrations. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands". "The authorities had all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement.
Qatar Tribune
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Serbia's president vows more arrests after huge antigovernment protests
agencies Belgrade Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has said many more antigovernment protesters will be arrested, as clashes with police at a massive night-time rally demanding early parliamentary elections marked a crescendo of months-long public dissent. At a news conference on Sunday, the populist leader accused the organisers of Saturday's student-led protest in the capital, Belgrade, of inciting violence and attacks on police. 'There will be many more arrested for attacking police … this is not the end,' Vucic said, accusing the protesters of causing 'terror'. Clashes erupted after the official part of the rally ended. Police used pepper spray, batons and shields while protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects. Critics say Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since coming to power more than a decade ago, having served as first deputy prime minister from 2012 to 2014 and prime minister from 2014 to 2017 before becoming president, stultifying democratic freedoms while allowing corruption and organised crime to flourish. He denies the accusations. Saturday's rally was one of the largest in eight sustained months of demonstrations triggered by the roof collapse at a train station in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people – a tragedy widely blamed on entrenched corruption. Following the outcry over the disaster, Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned, but the governing party continued in power, with a reshuffled government and Vucic still in office. Authorities put the crowd size at 36,000 – well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of about 140,000. During his news conference, Vucic also criticised 'terrorists and those who tried to bring down the state', singling out University of Belgrade's head dean, Vladan Djokic, who was among the protesters. 'Serbia won. You cannot destroy Serbia with violence,' said Vucic. 'They consciously wanted to spur bloodshed. The time of accountability is coming.' Protesters say the current populist government is 'illegitimate' and lay the responsibility for any violence on the government. Police said on Sunday that 48 officers were injured while 22 protesters sought medical help. Out of 77 people arrested, 38 remain in custody, most of whom are facing criminal charges, said Interior Minister Ivica Dacic. Before Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an 'ultimatum' for Vucic to call elections – a demand he has repeatedly rejected. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to 'take freedom into your own hands' and giving them the 'green light'. 'The authorities had all the mechanisms and all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation,' the organisers said in a statement on Instagram. On Sunday, Vucic reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. He has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his 12-year government, without providing any evidence.
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Serbian leader digs in, slams early elections rally
BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic insisted Sunday that he would not cave in to the 140,000 protesters who rallied in the capital overnight demanding early elections, vowing more arrests after clashes broke out. Saturday's rally was one of the largest in more than half a year of demonstrations triggered by the roof collapse at a train station in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people -- a tragedy widely blamed on entrenched corruption. Unlike previous gatherings, which took place without incidents, clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police. "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a public address. He accused the student-led movement of causing "terror" and promised there would be more arrests over the violence. AFP journalists saw riot police using tear gas and batons as protesters hurled flares and bottles at rows of officers in several clashes following the massive gathering in Belgrade. Authorities said 48 officers were injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said 22 people sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. - 'This is not the end' - Police detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody, according to Dacic. "There will be many more arrested for attacking police... this is not the end," Vucic said. He added that there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who wanted to destroy the state -- accountability follows". "Revenge must not be our language, but responsibility must be part of our consciousness," he said. Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he rejected well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister. Yet the governing party has kept power, with a reshuffled government and the president still in office. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. More than a dozen people have been arrested in recent weeks, a crackdown that has now become routine ahead of large demonstrations. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands" and giving them the "green light". "The authorities had all the mechanisms and all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement on Instagram.
Int'l Business Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Serbian Leader Digs In, Slams Early Elections Rally
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic insisted Sunday that he would not cave in to the 140,000 protesters who rallied in the capital overnight demanding early elections, while vowing more arrests after clashes broke out. Saturday's rally was one of the largest in more than half a year of demonstrations triggered by the roof collapse at a train station in the city of Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people -- a disaster widely blamed on entrenched corruption. Unlike previous gatherings, which took place without incident, clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police. "Serbia has won, and you cannot defeat Serbia by violence as some wanted," Vucic said in a public address. He accused the student-led movement of causing "terror" and promised there would be more arrests over the violence. AFP journalists saw riot police using tear gas and batons as protesters hurled flares and bottles at rows of officers in several clashes following the massive gathering in Belgrade. Authorities said 48 officers were injured, one seriously, and put the crowd size at 36,000 -- well below an independent estimate by the Archive of Public Gatherings of around 140,000. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said 22 people sought medical help, of whom two were seriously injured. Police detained 77 people, with 38 still in custody, according to Dacic. "There will be many more arrested for attacking police... this is not the end," Vucic said. He added that there would be "no negotiations with terrorists and those who wanted to destroy the state -- accountability follows". "Revenge must not be our language, but responsibility must be part of our consciousness," he said. Later on Sunday, six people were arrested on accusations of several crimes, including planning to block roads and attack state institutions "in order to violently change the state order", the Higher Prosecutor's Office said in a statement. An operation was ongoing, the statement said. Protest organisers meanwhile called for the release of a "large number of citizens" and "numerous students", and announced a rally in front of the prosecutor's office. "This is not a moment for withdrawal," the protest group said on Instagram. Ahead of Saturday's protest, organisers had issued an "ultimatum" for Vucic to call elections -- a demand he rejected well before the rally began. On Sunday, he reiterated there would not be any national vote before the end of 2026. The outcry over the Novi Sad disaster has already led to the resignation of the country's prime minister. Yet the governing party has kept power, with a reshuffled administration and the president still in office. Vucic has repeatedly alleged the protests are part of a foreign plot to destroy his government. After the rally, organisers played a statement to the crowd calling for Serbians to "take freedom into your own hands" and giving them the "green light". "The authorities had all the mechanisms and all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation," the organisers said in a statement on Instagram. One monitor said 140,000 protesters marched in Belgrade on Saturday AFP
