In Belgrade, Serbia, police have apprehended multiple individuals accused of conspiring to topple the government as tensions rise before a significant anti-government protest scheduled for this weekend.
Authorities confirmed that six people were detained on Wednesday night over suspicions of “preparing criminal acts against the constitutional order and security” of Serbia, and “calling for a violent change of the constitutional order.”
Earlier this week, at least one university student was arrested following allegations of planning “an act of terrorism” based on private mobile communications. In response, hundreds protested the arrest in Belgrade.
The rally called by university students for Saturday is intended to urge a call for early elections, following nearly eight months of continuous anti-corruption protests that have challenged the populist presidency of Aleksandar Vucic.
The wave of persistent demonstrations was sparked in November when a renovated rail station canopy collapsed, killing 16 people, a disaster many attributed to government corruption and incompetence in handling state infrastructure projects. University students have played a central role in the nationwide movement.
Vucic, along with his Serbian Progressive Party, has opposed the students’ calls for a snap election, instead accusing demonstrators of intending to incite violence at the upcoming rally.
Police alleged that a group had convened last week in a Kraljevo hotel to strategize a violent governmental overthrow and attacks on police and pro-government media. One of those arrested was reportedly found with a firearm and ammunition.
Further details have not been provided at this time. Reports suggest the arrested include an opposition political figure, a veteran from the 1990s conflicts, and others.
Similar arrests occurred in March, prior to one of the largest anti-government demonstrations the Balkan nation has experienced, which mobilized hundreds of thousands.
Vucic’s followers established a camp in a park outside his office, which remains. The otherwise peaceful assembly on March 15 abruptly concluded when parts of the crowd dispersed in panic, with suspicions that authorities deployed a sonic weapon against peaceful protesters, a claim they have denied.
Originally a staunch nationalist, Vucic’s leadership has become more authoritarian over the decade since he rose to power. Although he publicly supports Serbia’s ambition to join the European Union, critics argue that Vucic has suppressed democratic liberties while fortifying relations with Russia and China.