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Clashes continue between protesters and police in three Serbian cities

2025-08-17 09:46:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

For the fifth night in a row, police in Serbia have clashed with protesters in several cities across Serbia.

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said at a press conference in Belgrade, shortly before midnight, that there had been "drastic violations of public order."

The most violent clashes were recorded in Valljevo, in western Serbia, after the offices of the Progressive Party of Serbia – the party of President Aleksandar Vu?i? – were engulfed in flames.

Similar incidents have been recorded in recent days in many other cities, including the capital, Belgrade.

Dacic said that the courthouse and prosecutor's office in Valjevo were also attacked, as were those of the city administration. The offices of the Serbian Radical Party - a far-right party - led by war criminal Vojislav Seselj were also severely damaged in the protests.

In some footage, police officers were seen firing tear gas, stun grenades, and dispersing protesters, who threw objects at them.

A similar scenario occurred in Belgrade, where protesters gathered in front of Vu?i?'s party headquarters, but were later dispersed by police using tear gas.

The clashes erupted after photos were posted on social media showing several young men detained by authorities in Novi Sad in recent days. They are seen kneeling with their backs turned towards police officers at the moment of their arrest.

The police have neither confirmed nor denied the authenticity of these photos, nor have they said they will launch any investigation into possible abuse by the police.

In Valljevo, protesters were heard shouting "Don't beat our children" and called for the release of all detainees.

Dacic, on the other hand, said at the conference that the police have faced continuous attacks.

He has warned that "all those who spread false information" will be arrested, referring to some inaccurate reports on social media about the "death of a protester."

The protests have been organized on social media, and are led by groups that identify themselves as student organizations.

They have been at the forefront of protests in Serbia since November last year, and their starting point was the demand for political and criminal responsibility for the deaths of 16 people as a result of the collapse of a concrete shelter at the Novi Sad railway station.

Later, they called for action against corruption, as well as demanding early parliamentary elections - a request that was rejected by the Government./ REL