Political crisis rumbles in Serbia as duelling camps hold parallel rallies

"Antigovernment protests, which broke out more than 10 months ago, show no sign of abating. Serbia continues to be gripped by a deep political crisis, with antigovernment protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic holding parallel rallies across the Balkan country. Both sides held events on Saturday, more than 10 months into sustained protests against the right-wing populist government that were triggered by the collapse of a railway station roof in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people."

"Addressing the crowd, Nikolina Sindjelic, a student who was arrested during protests in August, claimed she was mistreated in detention. They beat us because they are afraid of us, she said, standing outside the headquarters of a special police unit. They have hit us and they will hit us because they know it is all over [for them], Sindjelic added."

"No major incidents were declared on Saturday, but brief scuffles were reported in the capital, Belgrade, where antigovernment demonstrators were pushed away by riot police as Vucic joined some of his supporters. The government's crackdown on the protest movement has increased in recent weeks, with demonstrators accusing the police of brutality. So far, more than 100 university professors have been sacked by the authorities and replaced with Vucic loyalists."

Antigovernment protests in Serbia have persisted for more than ten months, with protesters and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic holding parallel rallies across the country. The movement began after a Novi Sad railway station roof collapse that killed 16 people and initially sought justice and an investigation into alleged corruption. Protesters later demanded Vucic's resignation. Vucic has dismissed protesters as terrorists and his Serbian Progressive Party has organised counterdemonstrations. Police pushed antigovernment demonstrators away in Belgrade and brief scuffles occurred. Authorities have increased crackdowns, with accusations of police brutality and the sacking of more than 100 university professors replaced by Vucic loyalists.

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