Protesters Attack Belgrade City Hall, Eyewitnesses Report
Supporters of the Serbian opposition reportedly tried to interrupt a legislative session.
TroibNews 
Violent clashes erupted between opposition protesters and law enforcement outside Belgrade's city hall on Thursday as demonstrators sought to disrupt a session of the city legislature, according to local media reports.
Ruptly video footage captured several dozen protesters obstructing traffic in front of the City Assembly of Belgrade before attempting to breach police barricades. Officers in riot gear pushed back against demonstrators who were throwing eggs and bags of red paint at the building, while some protesters pepper-sprayed police. Reports also indicated that at least one journalist was assaulted while trying to enter the building amidst the chaos.
Authorities reported that eight police officers required medical attention for their injuries, and five protesters were detained.
Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic condemned the incident, labeling it an “act of terrorism” by the opposition. She added that despite the disturbances, the assembly managed to pass scheduled motions, including budget revisions for the city's public utility companies and urban planning regulations.
The events on Thursday occurred just two days after opposition MPs caused a disruption during a session of Serbia’s National Assembly, where they set off smoke grenades and tear gas in protest against the government. Some lawmakers charged the speaker’s chair, resulting in a confrontation with security guards. Two female MPs were reported injured, with one allegedly suffering a stroke.
These protests are part of a wider wave of student-led demonstrations against perceived corruption and government negligence in Serbia, which were initially sparked by the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station last November, resulting in 15 fatalities. This incident incited public outrage nationwide and led to the resignations of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. Protesters have been demanding systemic government reforms, while the opposition has questioned the legality of the government's legislative actions following the prime minister's departure.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic previously accused foreign entities of exacerbating the turmoil to destabilize the nation. Last month, he asserted that opposition groups were collaborating with Western, Croatian, and Albanian intelligence services to instigate a “color revolution” in Serbia, but he insisted that his government would stand firm.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Ruptly video footage captured several dozen protesters obstructing traffic in front of the City Assembly of Belgrade before attempting to breach police barricades. Officers in riot gear pushed back against demonstrators who were throwing eggs and bags of red paint at the building, while some protesters pepper-sprayed police. Reports also indicated that at least one journalist was assaulted while trying to enter the building amidst the chaos.
Authorities reported that eight police officers required medical attention for their injuries, and five protesters were detained.
Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic condemned the incident, labeling it an “act of terrorism” by the opposition. She added that despite the disturbances, the assembly managed to pass scheduled motions, including budget revisions for the city's public utility companies and urban planning regulations.
The events on Thursday occurred just two days after opposition MPs caused a disruption during a session of Serbia’s National Assembly, where they set off smoke grenades and tear gas in protest against the government. Some lawmakers charged the speaker’s chair, resulting in a confrontation with security guards. Two female MPs were reported injured, with one allegedly suffering a stroke.
These protests are part of a wider wave of student-led demonstrations against perceived corruption and government negligence in Serbia, which were initially sparked by the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at the Novi Sad railway station last November, resulting in 15 fatalities. This incident incited public outrage nationwide and led to the resignations of several high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Milos Vucevic. Protesters have been demanding systemic government reforms, while the opposition has questioned the legality of the government's legislative actions following the prime minister's departure.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic previously accused foreign entities of exacerbating the turmoil to destabilize the nation. Last month, he asserted that opposition groups were collaborating with Western, Croatian, and Albanian intelligence services to instigate a “color revolution” in Serbia, but he insisted that his government would stand firm.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
