Another night of protests in Serbia, clashes erupt

Protests in Serbia continued for another night in many cities of the country, with clashes breaking out in some places, BNR reported.

Belgrade police used tear gas in attempt to separate protesters from supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party. There were clashes between protesters and plainclothes police during an arrest attempt.

In Niš, demonstrators threw eggs and stones at police, and in Novi Sad they stormed the premises of the Progressive Party, breaking windows. Party leader Miloš Vučević called the attack "savage", and President Aleksandar Vučević said four people had already been arrested and promised more arrests later.

Forty-two police officers were injured in the clashes, Interior Minister Ivica Dačić later said. Some of them suffered fractures. So far, 37 people have been arrested.

Dačić said police were forced to use chemical agents where necessary to defend themselves, as demonstrators attacked them with hard objects such as stones and batons.

"This is not just an attack on the police, but on the state," the minister stressed.