#serbia-protests

#serbia-protests

Hundreds of riot police separated opponents and loyalists of Serbia's autocratic president, Aleksandar Vucic, in central Belgrade on Sunday as political tensions boiled after a year of anti-government protests. Several thousand people faced off on both sides of the police cordons, with officers in riot gear standing in rows between shouting crowds who threw bottles and flares at each other.

After 10 months of dissent, protests show no signs of dying down as fury at alleged government corruption grows. Serbia's police have fired tear gas and stun grenades at antigovernment protesters in the city of Novi Sad who are demanding snap elections and an end to President Aleksandar Vucic's 12-year government. Thousands gathered on Friday at the city's state university campus for yet another demonstration after 10 months of persistent dissent prompted by the fatal collapse of the Novi Sad train station roof last November,

"We went unarmed against bayonets. I feel, personally, as do other citizens who regularly attend protests, very upset, insecure, and unsafe, and that is a consequence of living under fascism, with all its manifestations."

President Aleksandar Vucic announced further arrests following a protest in Belgrade against government legitimacy, marking escalating tensions and a significant challenge to his power.