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The streets of Serbia are on fire—literally and figuratively. Protests have surged into their fifth night as demonstrators, fueled by anger over government corruption, set the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ablaze. Tensions escalated in Valjevo as police confronted protesters with stun grenades and tear gas after masked individuals stormed the empty party premises.
Violence has marred the capital, Belgrade, and the city of Novi Sad, where the protests originally ignited after a railway station collapse last November claimed 16 lives. Citizens are demanding accountability from President Aleksandar Vučić, who has faced accusations of undermining safety regulations.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, clashes erupted as pro-government supporters staged counter-protests, sparking chaos. Riot police were deployed to manage increasingly restless crowds, which have reportedly resulted in injuries and allegations of police brutality. Videos circulating on social media depict unsettling scenes of conflict, prompting human rights concerns from officials like Michael O'Flaherty, who calls out the "disproportionate force" used by police.
President Vučić took to social media to denounce the unrest, labeling the violence as a sign of weakness and vowing to penalize those involved. He remains firm against calls for early elections, which protesters view as a necessary step toward genuine change. Meanwhile, Russia has pledged its support for Vučić's administration, asserting that it will not stand idle amidst the turmoil.
The tragic railway incident has become a rallying cry for widespread anti-corruption demonstrations, building from initial calls for investigation to calls for the end of Vučić's decade-long rule. As protests continue to escalate, citizens across Serbia remain resolute in their demand for transparency and justice.
The streets of Serbia are on fire—literally and figuratively. Protests have surged into their fifth night as demonstrators, fueled by anger over government corruption, set the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) ablaze. Tensions escalated in Valjevo as police confronted protesters with stun grenades and tear gas after masked individuals stormed the empty party premises.
Violence has marred the capital, Belgrade, and the city of Novi Sad, where the protests originally ignited after a railway station collapse last November claimed 16 lives. Citizens are demanding accountability from President Aleksandar Vučić, who has faced accusations of undermining safety regulations.
Despite the largely peaceful nature of the protests, clashes erupted as pro-government supporters staged counter-protests, sparking chaos. Riot police were deployed to manage increasingly restless crowds, which have reportedly resulted in injuries and allegations of police brutality. Videos circulating on social media depict unsettling scenes of conflict, prompting human rights concerns from officials like Michael O'Flaherty, who calls out the "disproportionate force" used by police.
President Vučić took to social media to denounce the unrest, labeling the violence as a sign of weakness and vowing to penalize those involved. He remains firm against calls for early elections, which protesters view as a necessary step toward genuine change. Meanwhile, Russia has pledged its support for Vučić's administration, asserting that it will not stand idle amidst the turmoil.
The tragic railway incident has become a rallying cry for widespread anti-corruption demonstrations, building from initial calls for investigation to calls for the end of Vučić's decade-long rule. As protests continue to escalate, citizens across Serbia remain resolute in their demand for transparency and justice.
