A large student protest, “See You on Vidovdan,” was held at Slavija Square, and a portion of the citizens attending the rally moved towards Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard where students had set up a blockade today. During the evening, clashes broke out between the police and demonstrators.
Police director Dragan Vasiljević cited the refusal of citizens to let through an ambulance that was supposed to take care of an injured police officer as the reason for police intervention, but the video shows the opposite.
Demonstrators allowed the ambulance with the team that was supposed to help the injured police officer to pass, but the police cordon did not. Citizens protested this, minor scuffles began, and immediately after, brutal police intervention followed.
Police Retreat from the Boulevard
Dozens of police officers and Gendarmerie members are retreating from Kralja Aleksandra Boulevard, where the situation is now calm. In front of the Faculty of Law, there are students and war veterans. They are chanting “Arrest Vučić.”
According to an N1 reporter, the police also managed to push back citizens from surrounding streets.
Police Director: Several Hundred People Attacked the Police
Police director Dragan Vasiljević condemned the attacks on the police. He stated that they had previously warned they would not allow violence and conflicts, but that a portion of citizens did not respect this. “Groups of several hundred people attacked the police cordon. It strengthened and wanted to make it clear to the citizens that they would not pass. Warnings did not yield results. After an attack that lasted five or six minutes, the police intervened, moving the citizens. Some media reported that the police used chemical agents, that is not true,” said Vasiljević.
He stated that the police had to intervene at several points.
“Citizens did not listen to orders. Minimal force was used to prevent those attacking the police, attacking the state, from doing so,” said the police director, adding that several dozen demonstrators were detained.
Demonstrators Raise Hands on the Boulevard
In front of the Faculty of Law, war veterans stood in front of the demonstrators, specifically between them and the police, and then withdrew. Young people raised their hands, and the police are trying to persuade them to withdraw.
Large Number of Injured
Students of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad published a photograph of an injured demonstrator in Belgrade.
Police Push Back Demonstrators at Slavija
Police at Slavija are quickly pushing back demonstrators, who are throwing objects at them. The Gendarmerie is removing the fence, which citizens are pushing onto them, and clearing the area.
Source: Nova.rs Photo: Amir Hamzagić / Nova, ATA Images