Dozens injured in Serbia protests

Two nights of clashes mark a sharper turn in Serbia's anti-government protests after the Novi Sad tragedy.

Dozens injured as protesters clash with pro-government supporters in Serbia

Dozens were injured overnight as rival groups of protesters clashed in multiple cities, including Belgrade and Novi Sad. Police said they arrested nearly 50 people and about 30 riot officers were hurt as bottles, stones and fireworks flew between anti-government demonstrators and pro-government supporters. The violence spilled onto the streets as authorities used teargas and stun devices to separate the sides. A shooting near the Novi Sad government offices prompted panic when a military police officer fired into the air while on duty guarding ministers.

Officials later confirmed that the shooter was from a special military police unit and that seven members of the same unit were injured on duty during the clashes. protesters and those aligned with the anti government movement had previously faced attacks from pro government groups, sparking renewed calls for accountability over the Novi Sad disaster and for early elections. President Vučić visited pro government encampments overnight and rejected claims that his supporters started the violence, saying the anti government demonstrators were the aggressors elsewhere. UN human rights experts have described the crackdown on protests as intensifying and warned of a troubling pattern of repression.

The surge in violence signals a shift from street mobilization to a higher-stakes confrontation that tests Serbia's political stability. For more than nine months, mass demonstrations have pressed the government for accountability, but the escalation risks tipping public sentiment into a broader confrontation that could erode trust in state institutions. Vučić's insistence on preserving power amid a reshuffled cabinet may calm short term headlines, yet the heavy policing and arrests threaten to alienate moderate voices and widen the political divide. The week’s events underscore how quickly protests can become a proving ground for both the presidency and Serbia's democratic norms, with regional observers watching closely for signs of genuine reform or renewed repression.

Highlights

The road ahead will depend on accountability, dialogue, and credible reforms.