WORLD NEWS FOR MONTENEGRO DIASPORA
Choose language:
AUTHOR:M.J. GDNUS
A large student protest blockade called "See you on Vidovdan" is being organized in Belgrade today, starting at 6 p.m. at Slavija and lasting until 9 p.m.
Police and protesters clash
Members of the Gendarmerie clashed with some protesters in the center of Belgrade, N1 reported.
The clash occurred on King Aleksandra Boulevard.
Police fired tear gas at protesters who had gathered in front of a cordon set up on Kneza Miloša Street, near the Presidency.
The cordon pushed the crowd further down the street, towards the intersection with Kralja Milana Street.
As an RFE/RL reporter reports, groups of masked men clashed with police near St. Mark's Church.
They threw bottles and flares at the police, and several cannon shots were also fired.
The police intervened, and an RFE/RL reporter saw at least one protester being detained.
Hundreds of police officers in riot gear were at the scene, as were Gendarmerie units with armored vehicles.
The protesters shouted insults at Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić.
Police pushed back citizens on Knez Miloša Street
The Police Brigade intervened on Knez Miloša Street, and at one point began pushing back citizens.
According to an N1 reporter at the Turkish Embassy, members of the Police Brigade did not allow citizens to pass, despite the fact that they wanted to let the ambulance pass.
According to the reporter, the police estimated that citizens could also pass with the vehicle, and therefore did not open a passage to the area they were securing.
Riots begin in Belgrade
A few minutes after the protest ended, riots begin, and the police intervene. Incidents on the Boulevard – flares fly, cannon shots can be heard.
The demonstrators headed towards the Gendarmerie, at the corner of Bulevar Kralja Aleksandra at the intersection with Takovska, flares, glass and firecrackers are flying.
Message from the protest in Belgrade - We are not backing down, from this moment on this is a civil protest.
"This struggle is not just a student struggle, today we are all demanding elections. The student list will be the voice of all citizens, we will continue to knock on every door. We will control the elections like never before, everyone who lives in Serbia should vote. Come closer to us and let's expand our network all over Serbia. We will not tell you what to do, not because we don't know, but because you know what you are doing. You have the green light", a female student said from the stage in conclusion, after which flares were lit in the crowd.
Vučić: They wanted to destroy Serbia, they failed
"They wanted to destroy Serbia, they failed. Long live Serbia", Aleksandar Vučić posted on his Instagram account.
Informer predicts riots
A group of around 700 blockaders have gathered near Tašmajdan Park and are preparing to attack students who want to study, Serbian tabloid Informer reports.
"Informer" reports, citing its sources, that some of those gathered are allegedly carrying batons.
Let us recall that Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić said that he expects violence to break out tonight at a protest in Belgrade, organized by students in a blockade.
"According to our estimates, from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m., until 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., violence is expected to begin, but we are ready," Vučić said in a conversation with reporters after the awarding of decorations on the occasion of Vidovdan at the Palace of Serbia.
The Rector of Belgrade University, Vladan Đokić, is addressing the crowd gathered at Slavija.
Journalists targeted by government supporters
While playing nationalist songs over loudspeakers, government supporters on the plateau in front of the Serbian Parliament are throwing eggs and bottles at the journalist crews, an RFE/RL reporter reports.
As she says, they are shouting insults, such as "Ustasha".
Vučić played chess during the 16 minutes of silence
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić posted a photo on Instagram showing him playing chess in the building of the General Secretariat of the President of the Republic, at a time when a student protest program demanding the calling of early parliamentary elections began on Slavija Square.
Strong police forces around the Serbian Parliament
As an RFE/RL reporter reports, strong police forces arrived around the National Assembly at around 7:20 p.m.
Serbian Progressive Party supporters gathered on the plateau in front of the Serbian Parliament earlier today for what was described as a "literary evening". Among those gathered were several ministers, as well as former Gendarmerie commander Goran Radosavljević Guri.
