Serbian riot police swept through Belgrade overnight, dismantling barricades and detaining dozens of anti-government protesters as anger surges over a deadly train-station collapse and mounting calls for early elections.
At a Glance
- Police cleared multiple street blockades across Belgrade, arresting more protesters.
- Demonstrations erupted after a train-station canopy collapse killed 16 people last November.
- At least eight university students were detained on charges of plotting attacks.
- President Aleksandar Vučić vowed to uphold order, rejecting snap election calls.
Night Raids and Rising Tensions
Under cover of darkness, heavily armed officers used batons and pepper spray to break up barricades in districts like Zemun and central Belgrade. Protesters—many chanting for government resignation—were dragged away as authorities sought to reassert control over a city shaken by months of civil unrest.
The catalyst for this nationwide movement was a fatal collapse at Novi Sad’s main train station, blamed by citizens and opposition leaders on deep-seated corruption in public works. The incident left 16 dead and triggered relentless daily demonstrations—blockading roads, university campuses, and government offices—with students, professors, and workers joining ranks.
Watch a report: Police Remove Barricades, Protesters Clash in Serbia.
This latest crackdown saw dozens arrested, including prominent student leaders. Police accused them of planning attacks on public institutions—a claim protest organizers call a government smear designed to discredit the movement. Nearly 40 people now face criminal charges related to the protests.
Government Stands Firm, Protesters Persist
President Aleksandar Vučić, speaking from abroad, praised the police response, declaring the “state is strong enough to secure law and order.” His administration has so far refused opposition demands for snap elections, insisting the next parliamentary vote will take place as scheduled in 2027.
Despite the heavy-handed tactics, crowds quickly regrouped. Protesters resumed their campaign by marching through pedestrian crossings and staging spontaneous sit-ins across the city. Organizers insist the fight for political accountability—and for justice for the train-station victims—will not end until the government takes responsibility or agrees to early elections.
With no resolution in sight and both sides digging in, Belgrade faces a tense summer as calls for reform collide with the government’s determination to stamp out dissent.
