BELGRADE, Serbia — A large crowd estimated in the tens of thousands, primarily made up of university students, gathered outside the headquarters of Serbia’s state television in Belgrade on Friday, voicing their discontent about what they perceive as a pro-government slant in the broadcaster’s reporting.
This demonstration followed an alarming incident in which a protestor was severely injured when a car struck a group of demonstrators. It represents one of the largest expressions of dissent against the RTS television station, ignited by a tragedy last November when a concrete canopy collapsed in Novi Sad, resulting in the deaths of 15 individuals.
With noise makers in hand and chants filling the air, demonstrators expressed their frustration towards state television’s portrayal of President Aleksandar Vucic’s claims that the student protesters were being financed by foreign intelligence agencies to instigate a coup against his populist regime.
In a poignant moment, the crowd observed 15 minutes of silence to honor the victims of the tragic canopy collapse. Following that somber tribute, they earnestly called for a nationwide general strike, demanding greater accountability and reform.
Many citizens attribute the catastrophic incident not only to a lack of oversight but also to widespread corruption that has compromised structural integrity in various infrastructure projects. The canopy failure is also indicative of escalating dissatisfaction with President Vucic’s increasingly authoritarian governance and the public’s desire for democratic reforms.
Protests have been ongoing since the canopy collapse on November 1, manifesting in various forms across multiple cities, including Belgrade. Some demonstrations have escalated into violence, particularly after the recent injury of a protester.
The injured student was struck by a car in downtown Belgrade, leading to police detaining the driver, who is now facing attempted murder charges. This incident marks the first severe injury linked to the protests and has raised tensions within the movement.
Additional conflicts erupted when a man threatened demonstrators in Novi Sad with a knife. Meanwhile, riot police intervened to remove opposition politicians from the City Hall who had occupied the building in a bid to support the student-led protests.
Vucic has labeled these opposition figures as “hoodlums” and reaffirmed his stance that they would not gain power through violence. He has defended those opposed to the protests, arguing that the continuous street blockades threaten citizens’ rights to free movement. Critics, however, argue that Vucic’s fiery rhetoric has fostered a climate of violence and hostility towards demonstrators.
