Serbia’s authorities on Thursday are deciding what measures to impose to halt a surging spread of the new coronavirus, in the wake of two nights of clashes between police and anti-lockdown demonstrators.
Serbia's crisis team is expected to ban gatherings in the capital, Belgrade, and limit the operations of cafes and nightclubs following a huge spike in infections that they say threatens the health system.
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Serbia’s authorities on Thursday are deciding what measures to impose to halt a surging spread of the new coronavirus, in the wake of two nights of clashes between police and anti-lockdown demonstrators.
Serbia has confirmed more than 17,000 cases of the new coronavirus while 341 people have died. A few hundred new infections are being reported daily.
Dozens of people were injured in clashes in Belgrade and other cities. Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said that 10 police officers were injured on Wednesday evening, including one who sustained two broken legs.
An opposition leader, Bosko Obradovic, who reportedly was slightly injured during protests, accused the police of “needless brutality” and Vucic of a readiness to “trample on anyone” to retain “absolute power.”
Mass gatherings at soccer and tennis matches and nightclubs were allowed despite warnings by experts that it could lead to a spike in cases.
“I promised that we will know how to preserve peace and stability despite criminal hooligan violent attacks that have shocked us all," he said.
Serbian police guards the area in front of the parliament building after clashing with protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)
It is not clear if officials will reintroduce a weekend curfew, the initial announcement of which triggered the violent protests in Belgrade and three other cities.
Protesters charge the steps of the Serbian parliament as riot police stand guard during a protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoMarko Drobnjakovic)
Serbia has confirmed more than 17,000 cases of the new coronavirus while 341 people have died. A few hundred new infections are being reported daily.
An announcement this week by President Aleksandar Vucic that measures will include a lockdown sent thousands into the streets. The citizens accuse the populist strongman of letting the crisis spin out of control in order to hold an election on June 21 that tightened his grip on power.
Rock-throwing demonstrators on Tuesday and Wednesday evening fought hourslong running battles with special police forces who used tear gas to disperse them, charging on horses and in armored vehicles.
A man stands at the steps of the Serbian parliament as riot guard it during a protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoMarko Drobnjakovic)
Dozens of people were injured in clashes in Belgrade and other cities. Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said that 10 police officers were injured on Wednesday evening, including one who sustained two broken legs.
Stefanovic said police were as restrained as possible and only fought back when in danger, but some rights groups warned that police were overstepping their authority and using excessive force against the protesters.
Videos that appeared on social networks appeared to show police severely beating up protesters. One piece of footage purported to show a protester being hit and kicked by several officers and dumped to the sidewalk, seemingly unconscious. The authenticity of the video cannot be independently verified.
Protesters charge the building of the Serbian parliament in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoMarko Drobnjakovic)
An opposition leader, Bosko Obradovic, who reportedly was slightly injured during protests, accused the police of “needless brutality” and Vucic of a readiness to “trample on anyone” to retain “absolute power.”
“This cannot calm down because the people have had enough,” Obradovic said.
Opponents blame the autocratic Vucic for contributing to the spike in deaths and new cases after he entirely lifted the previous, very tight lockdown measures.
Protesters clash with riot police on the steps of the Serbian parliament in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoMarko Drobnjakovic)
Mass gatherings at soccer and tennis matches and nightclubs were allowed despite warnings by experts that it could lead to a spike in cases.
Under apparent pressure from the protesters, the president backtracked Wednesday on his new lockdown plans, claiming the measure cannot be implemented without proclaiming a nationwide state of emergency.
In an Instagram post on Thursday — from inside the plane taking him on an official visit to France — Vucic said the state will curb unrest, and urged his followers not to confront violent demonstrators.
Protesters throw barricades at riot police in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoMarko Drobnjakovic)
“I promised that we will know how to preserve peace and stability despite criminal hooligan violent attacks that have shocked us all," he said.
Vucic has accused unspecified foreign intelligence services of being behind the unrest. He has described the protests as “political" and aimed at weakening Serbia in its talks with Kosovo, a former province whose 2008 declaration of independence Belgrade does not recognize.
Serbian security forces guard the area after clashing with protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)
Serbian police guards the area in front of the parliament building after clashing with protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia's capital during the second day of demonstrations against the president's handling of the country's coronavirus outbreak. President Aleksandar Vucic backtracked on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in Belgrade this week, but it didn't stop people from firing flares and throwing stones while trying to storm the downtown parliament building. (AP PhotoDarko Vojinovic)