The offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) were engulfed in flames during a fifth consecutive night of protests, highlighting the growing tensions between anti-government activists and riot police across Serbia. The chaotic scenes unfolded in Valjevo, where reports indicated that riot police resorted to using stun grenades and tear gas as a group of masked individuals attacked the SNS's vacant facilities.
The protests, originally ignited by the tragic collapse of a railway station in Novi Sad last November that claimed 16 lives, have raised serious accusations of corruption and negligence directed at President Aleksandar Vučić's administration. Although the demonstrations began peacefully, the atmosphere turned volatile on Wednesday when pro-government loyalists staged counter-protests, sparking clashes with anti-government factions.
Widespread unrest has been reported in major cities including Belgrade and Novi Sad, where demonstrators called for early elections and expressed discontent with the prolonged rule of Vučić, who has been in power for over a decade. The escalating rage resulted in the vandalism of government offices and party flags, particularly those associated with the encompassing SNS and its coalition partner, the Serbian Radical Party.
As turmoil continues to grip the nation, incidents of alleged police brutality have surfaced, prompting Michael O'Flaherty, the Commissioner for Human Rights at the Council of Europe, to voice concern. He condemned the "disproportionate force" exhibited by internal security forces and urged for a cessation of arbitrary arrests, emphasizing the need to de-escalate tensions.
In response to the unrest, President Vučić expressed his disdain for the violence on social media, labeling it as a sign of weakness while asserting plans to penalize those responsible for the riots. He has also dismissed calls for early elections, branding the protests as elements of a foreign conspiracy aimed at destabilizing his government.
The scenario has gained international attention, with Russia pledging support to Vučić, emphasizing the protection of public order and denouncing the demonstrations as unlawful. Amidst these developments, the protests in response to the railway tragedy persist with demands for transparent investigations, further complicating the already tense political environment in Serbia.
