Following a tragic railway station collapse in November, anti-government protests in Serbia have intensified, leading to clashes with police and allegations of state violence, while the pro-Moscow government maintains its stance against early elections under President Aleksandar Vučić.
Protests Escalate in Serbia as Ruling Party's Offices Torched Amid Unrest
Protests Escalate in Serbia as Ruling Party's Offices Torched Amid Unrest
The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) faces escalating tensions as protests continue for a fifth consecutive night, culminating in arson against its offices.
The offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have become a target of widespread unrest as anti-government protests escalate, culminating in their arson during a fifth consecutive night of demonstrations. Reports indicate that a small group of masked individuals set fire to the empty party offices in the city of Valjevo, prompting riot police to respond with stun grenades and tear gas.
The protest movement, ignited by public outrage over a railway station collapse last November that claimed 16 lives, has since transformed into a broader anti-corruption campaign. Many blame the tragedy on alleged corruption and negligence by President Aleksandar Vučić's government. As protests increased, they initially remained peaceful, drawing hundreds of thousands of participants until violent clashes erupted following counter-demonstrations by pro-government supporters.
In the latest developments, police were deployed across various cities, including the capital, Belgrade, and Novi Sad, as citizens rallied for early elections and demanded accountability. Demonstrators have shown their frustration by vandalizing party offices and destroying property linked to the SNS and its coalition partner, the Serbian Radical Party.
Reports of injuries have surfaced across the nation amidst the unrest, with troubling claims of police brutality circulating on social media. Human rights advocates, including Michael O'Flaherty from the Council of Europe, expressed concerns over the alleged use of excessive force by authorities, calling for the cessation of arbitrary arrests and a de-escalation of tensions.
In light of the turmoil, President Vučić condemned the violence as a sign of weakness and vowed to address the situation firmly. He has also dismissed calls for early elections, framing the protests as a foreign-backed effort to undermine his administration. Meanwhile, Russia has extended its support for Vučić, asserting that it will not remain indifferent to the turmoil affecting its ally.
The protests, sparked by the devastating railway accident, have evolved into a profound critique of systemic corruption in Serbia and have rallied public demands for transparent investigations and political change, casting doubt on Vučić's 12-year governance amid fears of increasing dissent.
