Clashes erupt for a second day at anti-government protests in Serbia in a major escalation

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Clashes erupted between Serbian anti-government protesters and supporters for a second day Wednesday in a major escalation after more than nine months of persistent demonstrations against autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic.

The president's supporters repeatedly hurled flares at protesters in the northern city of Novi Sad, near the offices of Vucic's ruling Serbian Progressive Party. Protesters then smashed office windows as riot police were deployed outside to guard the building.

Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said at least one policeman was injured and called for the “return of law and order.”

Thousands more gathered in other parts of the country, including the capital, Belgrade, where riot police used tear gas to disperse groups of anti-government demonstrators in one part of the city.

Riot police separated two opposing camps in the central town of Kraljevo. Demonstrations were also held in the central towns of Kragujevac and Cacak, and the southern city of Nis. There was no immediate word on whether there were injured protesters on Wednesday.

The student-led protests in Serbia first started in November after a train station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people and triggering accusations of corruption in state infrastructure projects.

Protests have since drawn hundreds of thousands of people, shaking Vucic’s firm grip on power. His supporters have recently started organizing counterdemonstrations, fueling fears of violence.

Pro-government media said that Vucic arrived on Wednesday evening to a camp of his supporters outside the presidency building in downtown Belgrade, in an apparent show of defiance. He described the anti-government protesters as “thugs.”

Wednesday's protests were organized in response to incidents on Tuesday evening in the northwestern town of Vrbas, where riot police separated protesters from the opposing camps outside the ruling party's offices.

Images from the scene in Vrbas showed government supporters throwing flares, rocks and bottles at the protesters, who hurled back various objects. Police said that dozens of people were injured, including 16 police officers. Similar incidents were reported at protests in other parts of the country on Tuesday evening.

Police said that several people were detained after the clashes in Vrbas. Police Commissioner Dragan Vasiljevic told state-run RTS television that the protesters “came to attack” the governing party supporters outside the party's offices.

Vucic said at a news conference earlier on Wednesday with Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker that pro-democracy protests in Serbia have been “very violent and were violent last night."

Serbia's president, other government officials and pro-government media have repeatedly described the protesters as “terrorists,” though protests in Serbia since November have been largely peaceful.

Protesters have said that government supporters attacked them first in Vrbas and also further south in Backa Palanka and later in Novi Sad and the southern city of Nis. In Belgrade, riot police pushed away protesters who gathered in a downtown area.

Led by university students, the protesters are demanding that Vucic call an early parliamentary election, which he has refused to do. Protesting students have also called for the ouster of Dacic, the interior minister, over recent violence at demonstrations.

Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership, but Vucic has maintained strong ties with Russia and China. He has faced accusations of stifling democratic freedoms since coming to power 13 years ago.

Serbian gendarmerie officers separate protesters from opposing camps during an anti-government protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian gendarmerie officers detain an alleged pro-government supporter during an anti-government protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

A Serbian gendarmerie officer with a sticker depicting Jesus Christ stands in cordon separating protesters from opposing camps during an anti-government protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian gendarmerie officers separate protesters from opposing camps during an anti-government protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

Serbian gendarmerie officers separate protesters from the opposing camps during an anti-government protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Victor Wembanyama returned from a first-quarter injury scare to score 22 points and grab 10 rebounds and lead the San Antonio Spurs to a 119-101 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks on Thursday night.

Stephon Castle added 19 points and 10 assists and Julian Champagnie had 13 points and 11 rebounds for San Antonio. The Spurs led by 39 points early in the fourth quarter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo had 21 points as Milwaukee suffered its third straight loss.

It was the Bucks' second straight lopsided loss after being booed at home during a 139-106 setback to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday.

Wembanyama startled the sellout crowd at the Frost Bank Center and it had nothing to do with his freshly shaved scalp.

He returned to the court after making knee-to-knee contact with Antetokounmpo's left leg under the Bucks basket with 9:18 remaining in the first quarter. Wembanyama dropped to the court in pain before rising and hobbling unassisted in a half sprint toward the locker room.

The 7-foot-4 center from France suffered a hyperextended knee on Dec. 31 in the fourth quarter against the New York Knicks in a similar play. He returned to watch from the bench on New Year's Eve but missed the next two games.

Wembanyama returned to the bench at the close of the first quarter Thursday, but this time he went back on the court to start the second quarter.

Wembanyama had 11 points, six rebounds and a blocked shot while playing 12 minutes, 27 seconds in the second quarter.

San Antonio outscored Milwaukee 35-26 during the second quarter in taking a 66-53 lead at the half. The lead expanded to 37 points in the third quarter as both teams sat their starters to open the fourth.

Kyle Kuzma had 18 points and Bobby Portis added 13 points for the Bucks.

Bucks: At Atlanta on Monday night.

Spurs: Host Minnesota on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA

Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) scores past San Antonio Spurs forward Harrison Barnes (40) and forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks center Myles Turner (3) and guard Ryan Rollins, second from right, battle San Antonio Spurs center Luke Kornet, left, and guard De'aaron Fox, right, for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) is blocked as he drives to the basket against San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama (1) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper (2) scores over Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins (13) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

San Antonio Spurs forward Victor Wembanyama, left, drives against Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo (34) during the second half of an NBA basketball game in San Antonio, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)