The Croatian Foreign Ministry has urged the country's citizens not to travel to Serbia unless absolutely necessary while the anti-government protests are ongoing, the Croatian national television HRT reported, quoted by BTA.
"It is recommended to postpone all non-essential travel, exercise caution, monitor the current situation and obtain detailed information before traveling, especially in light of the unfounded actions of the authorities of the Republic of Serbia against Croatian citizens," the ministry said in a statement.
Yesterday, a Croatian citizen was arrested in Serbia on charges of participating in an anti-government protest in Belgrade and attacking representatives of the Serbian gendarmerie. He was then repatriated back to Croatia, where he was fined and banned from entering Serbia for a year. The Croatian claims that he did not attend the protests.
"Given that roadways are often blocked due to civil protests, it is important to keep in mind that it is impossible to assess in advance the traffic situation and possible other circumstances that could significantly affect travel throughout the country. We advise Croatian citizens to avoid places where large numbers of people gather," the Croatian Foreign Ministry also warned.
Following the tragedy in the northern Serbian city of Novi Sad last year, when 16 people died in an accident at the train station, a wave of social discontent swept the entire country. Students have blocked more than 60 faculties in the country and led spontaneous protests, accusing the government and President Aleksandar Vucic of corruption and nepotism. The government and the president say that opposition parties, not ordinary citizens, are behind the protests.
The protests in recent days have led to clashes between protesters and police, and hundreds of demonstrators have been arrested.