A fire accompanied by reported gunfire at a camp supporting Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic in central Belgrade on Wednesday left one person injured, according to officials. President Vucic swiftly labeled the incident as a ‘terrorist attack,’ attributing it to political motives. The camp, colloquially known as ‘Caciland,’ was established in March as a human shield against ongoing anti-government protests, which have posed the most significant challenge to Vucic’s rule in recent months. The fire broke out in the early hours, engulfing one of the tents after a series of popping sounds resembling gunfire. Footage showed police officers taking cover and drawing their weapons, urging bystanders to do the same. Vucic held an impromptu press conference, presenting video evidence of the alleged shooter, who reportedly confessed to being ‘annoyed by the tents’ and seeking police intervention. Pro-government media outlets accused opposition figures of orchestrating the attack. Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar confirmed that one individual sustained serious injuries from the shooting, describing the perpetrator as ‘a man who thinks differently.’ The incident occurred just days before a planned mass rally in Novi Sad, marking the anniversary of a tragic canopy collapse that killed 16 people and sparked widespread youth-led protests against Vucic’s authoritarian governance. Authorities have intensified efforts to suppress dissent, including reports of arbitrary arrests and police violence, as protesters continue to demand early parliamentary elections.
Fire and shooting at a camp in Belgrade hosting the president’s loyalists injures 1
