Hundreds of riot police separated thousands of opponents and loyalists of Serbia's autocratic president, Aleksandar Vučić, in central Belgrade on Sunday as political tensions escalated after a year of anti-government protests. Bottles and flares were thrown between the two groups, with officers in riot gear forming rows between the shouting crowds.
The clashes came a day after tens of thousands attended a rally in Novi Sad marking the first anniversary of a train station disaster that killed 16 people. The tragedy triggered a youth-led movement demanding political change and challenging Vučić's grip on power. Protesters believe government corruption and nepotism during renovation work led to negligence and safety violations that caused the concrete canopy to collapse.
Anti-government protesters gathered in Belgrade to support Dijana Hrka, mother of victim Stefan Hrka. She announced a hunger strike near a tent camp outside parliament occupied by Vučić's loyalists since March. Hrka demands accountability, the release of detained protesters, and an early parliamentary election as sought by university students leading the demonstrations.
Vučić established the loyalist camp, known as 'Caciland', ahead of a rally in March. The enclosed zone serves as a human shield, filling a park and street between his office and parliament. Police guard the camp, which has been off-limits to residents. A shooting incident there last month raised fears of violence.
Authorities have cracked down on protesters, detaining hundreds and breaking up demonstrations. Pro-government media and officials have labelled protesting students 'terrorists', accusing them of inciting violence.
