Police detained two people during protests on Saturday night, the press service of the Serbian Interior Ministry reported. Protesting students and opposition supporters blocked the largest boulevard “King Alexandra“ and Brankov Bridge in the center of Belgrade on Saturday night, and protests were also held in other cities in the country.
“Last night, Interior Ministry officers checked the documents of 99 people. Two people were taken to police stations. Acts for 24 administrative violations were filed, and against one person - for the crime of illegal possession of drugs. All obstacles to transport on the territory of Serbia and Belgrade have been removed, the roads are free“, the Ministry of Interior announced.
Opponents of the Serbian authorities had earlier called on supporters on social media to gather for a protest in the town of Užice in the western part of the country on Sunday evening.
“The Ministry of Interior in Užice, acting on a complaint, discovered a bundle of wooden sticks on a pedestrian walkway under the Užice train station at around 10:30 a.m. today. Police seized nine sticks and notified the Chief Prosecutor's Office in Užice“, the press service added.
Serbian authorities have repeatedly stated that the number of protesters has decreased and the color revolution has failed. President Aleksandar Vucic said on Saturday that the protest movement was "over."
Unrest in Serbia
- On June 28, protesters blocked Slavija Square in central Belgrade and surrounding streets, demanding early parliamentary elections.
- On that day, at 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m. Moscow time), the ultimatum expired: the demonstrators are seeking to set a date for the vote.
- Students and opposition supporters took to the streets, with about 36,000 people taking part.
- In the evening, clashes between protesters and police began, with security forces using force, shields and batons. 48 law enforcement officers were injured.
- 77 protesters were detained, one of whom was a minor.
- On Sunday, June 29, activists made a new demand: the release of all detained protesters.
- Radio and Television of Serbia reported the detention of eight suspects on charges of crimes against the constitutional order.
- The Supreme Court in Belgrade released them from custody on July 1, and the Supreme Prosecutor's Office said it would appeal the decision.
- Vučić promised to detain all protesters for attempting to block the international airport and critical infrastructure.