Protesters attack government offices in Serbia (VIDEOS)

Fresh clashes between anti-government demonstrators and police have erupted in Serbia after offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) were set on fire. President Aleksandar Vucic has condemned the unrest, earlier stating that it was being fueled from abroad.

New clashes began on Wednesday in Valjevo, about 100km west of Belgrade, after videos of police using force against protesters spread online. The footage spurred rallies in several cities, with opposition groups accusing authorities of heavy-handed tactics.

Clips posted online showed masked demonstrators throwing flares and stones at empty SNS offices, breaking windows before flames broke out inside. Firefighters arrived and extinguished the blaze.

Riot police were deployed in Belgrade and other cities on Saturday night as videos showed protesters hurling flares at officers and police vehicles.

Vucic described the violence as “an expression of total weakness” and promised to “punish the bullies.” ”Alongside all the bad things happening to our country and to us, there is one good thing – all the masks are off. People see everything: the protesters’ nervousness and hysteria are growing, and the violence is becoming more obvious, because they have nothing left to offer,” he said in a video message on Saturday. “The time of accountability has come, and everyone who burned and destroyed will be held responsible and punished for their crimes.” 

He added that “no civil war” would be allowed and that “no one is stronger than the state, even with foreign support.” Vucic argued earlier this week that the unrest in Serbia was largely fueled from abroad, drawing parallels with the “color revolutions” seen in other countries. In a related statement, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto claimed the European Union is seeking to topple the governments of Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia because they prioritize national interests over alignment with Brussels.

The unrest has “far exceeded civilized protest,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry said, adding that Moscow ”cannot remain unresponsive” to events in “brotherly Serbia” and expressed confidence that stability would be restored.

Student-led protests first broke out in 2024 after a railway station roof collapsed in Novi Sad, killing 16 people. Protesters alleged government corruption and demanded early elections.

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