BELGRADE, Serbia — The streets of central Belgrade became a battleground on Sunday as hundreds of riot police intervened to separate opposing factions: supporters of Serbia’s autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic and anti-government protesters. The confrontation, marked by thrown bottles and flares, underscored escalating political tensions following a year of sustained demonstrations against Vucic’s rule. The clashes erupted a day after tens of thousands gathered in Novi Sad to commemorate the first anniversary of a train station disaster that claimed 16 lives and ignited a youth-led movement demanding political reform. The tragedy has become a rallying point for critics of Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian 13-year tenure. In Belgrade, protesters rallied in support of Dijana Hrka, the mother of one of the victims, who began a hunger strike near a tent camp outside the parliament building. This camp, occupied by Vucic’s loyalists since March, has become a symbol of the president’s efforts to consolidate power. Known colloquially as “Caciland,” the camp has drawn criticism for restricting public access and raising fears of violence, particularly after a recent shooting incident. Authorities have intensified their crackdown on dissent, detaining hundreds of protesters and labeling student demonstrators as “terrorists.” Protesters accuse the government of corruption and negligence in the Novi Sad station renovation, which they claim led to the fatal collapse. They are demanding accountability for the victims, the release of detained protesters, and early parliamentary elections.
Riot police separate opponents, loyalists of Serbia’s president as tensions soar amid protests
