In Serbia, ongoing student-led demonstrations demanding early parliamentary elections today intensified as thousands of protesters blocked roads and major traffic interchanges in 18 cities across the country.
As per the media reports, students and opposition groups are also demanding the removal of a pro-government tent encampment in front of the National Assembly, blocking key locations throughout the capital, Belgrade.
It said the protesting groups yesterday also added the demand to release those detained during the protests last two days.
The demonstrations followed the expiration of an ultimatum issued to the government on June 25 by students and opposition groups.
Authorities have yet to officially respond. However, Serbia’s Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated that 48 officers were injured in clashes in Belgrade last night, while 77 people were detained. Dačić added that 22 individuals required emergency medical treatment, including two with serious injuries.
Russia has expressed concern over the massive student-led demonstrations in Serbia. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow is monitoring the situation and hopes that the protests in the Slavic country will be resolved on the basis of the country’s Constitution and laws.
Lavrov also suggested some hand of Western governments behind the unrest alleging that western countries often exploit domestic affairs in other states to advance their interests. Lavrov said that Western governments should refrain from colour revolutions this time.
“We want elections!” the crowd chanted, waving Serbian flags and holding banners bearing the names of cities and towns from around the country.
For more than half a year, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths
Police director Dragan Vasiljevic said officers had used batons after coming under attack but denied deploying “chemical agents” to disperse the crowd.
Dozens were detained, while six officers and two people were injured in the violence, Vasiljevic said.