United News of Bangladesh

Clashes broke out between protesters and riot police in Serbia’s capital on Saturday evening after a large anti-government rally led by opponents of President Aleksandar Vučić, who has faced growing public anger over his rule. The main rally in central Belgrade passed off peacefully, but tensions flared later when groups of young protesters confronted police. Some demonstrators threw rocks, bottles and flares at riot police, who responded with pepper spray and moved in to disperse the crowd. Authorities said 23 people were detained after the unrest. Police also deployed armored vehicles in parts of central Belgrade to prevent protesters from regrouping. Officials said some of the violent groups appeared to include football hooligans. They blocked streets using overturned trash bins before police moved in to restore order. Earlier in the day, tens of thousands of people filled Belgrade’s central Slavija Square, many carrying banners and wearing T-shirts with the slogan “Students win,” a youth-led movement behind the protest. Large crowds also arrived from other Serbian cities. The demonstration comes amid ongoing political tension in Serbia, where protests have continued for more than a year following anger over a railway station disaster in November 2024 that killed 16 people and triggered allegations of corruption and negligence during renovation work. Opposition groups are demanding early elections, rule of law and accountability for alleged corruption. Prosecutor Bojana Savović told the rally that a country where laws are applied selectively risks becoming “a mafia organization.” Serbia’s state railway company suspended all train services to and from Belgrade during the protest, a move widely seen as an attempt to limit arrivals from other regions. President Vučić, who was travelling to China at the time, said in a social media video that protesters had shown “violent behaviour” and insisted that state institutions were still functioning normally. Police estimated around 34,300 people attended the rally, while organizers said the turnout was significantly higher. Tensions also rose near a camp of Vučić supporters set up close to the presidential building, where clashes first began. The site has been used in previous demonstrations as a protective gathering point for the president’s allies. Human rights concerns over Serbia’s handling of protests have increased in recent months. The Council of Europe’s Commissioner for Human Rights, Michael O’Flaherty, has raised concerns about police conduct and reports of excessive force against demonstrators and journalists. Serbia is formally seeking European Union membership but continues to maintain close ties with Russia and China. EU officials have warned that democratic backsliding could threaten billions of euros in potential funding. The student-led movement says it plans to challenge Vučić in upcoming elections, which the president has said could be held between September and November this year. Despite the clashes, protesters say the movement reflects growing frustration over corruption, governance and lack of accountability in the country.

BNP Vice Chairman Dr AZM Zahid Hossain on Wednesday accused police of harassing party members and their families ahead of their anti-government protest in Faridpur on Saturday. Zahid made the allegations at a press briefing held at Faridpur Press Club on Wednesday noon. “On Tuesday, police arrested eight of our activists from Nagarkanda upazila and one from Faridpur Sadar upazila. Besides, police raided the houses of five of our party members and harassed their family members,” Zahid Jahid.  Read more: 250 BNP activists sued in Sylhet for vandalising PM, Bangabandhu’s photos He said that BNP activists and leaders will defy all the obstacles, including a politically motivated transport strike, allegedly influenced by the government. He said that the opposition people will start reaching the venue from Thursday—two days before the scheduled protest. “The entire area stretching from Komorpur Abdul Aziz Institute field to Faridpur town will turn into a sea of people during our rally on Saturday,” Zahid hoped. Shama Obaid, organising secretary of BNP, said that the ruling Awami League (AL) has announced a programme for Friday to foil their rally the next day. Read more: Another BNP rally, another transport strike: This time in Faridpur “The transport strike on Friday and Saturday is another tactic of the government to prevent our party members from joining the rally. Such plans and strategies won’t work as our party leaders and activists will make our rally successful against all odds,” said Shama. Jahirul Haque Shahjada Mia, Advisor of BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia and Chowdhury Nayab Yusuf, Joint Secretary of Mahila Dal, among others, were present at the press briefing.