SERBIA

FOOTAGE SHOWS OTHERWISE: Police Director Claims Citizens First Attacked SNS Supporters, Fails to Mention Pyrotechnics Used Against His Colleagues!

by Serbian Times13. August 2025.13. August 2025.

In Vrbas and Bačka Palanka, an incident occurred last night during a protest by a group of citizens in front of the offices of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), which was met by supporters of the party. A police cordon separated the two groups of citizens, and in Vrbas alone, 16 police officers and more than 50 citizens were injured, Police Director Dragan Vasiljević told RTS.

“The police had received announcements about the gatherings, but we thought they would pass without conflict. The gathered citizens headed towards the SNS offices, in front of which several hundred party supporters had also gathered. It must be clearly stated that the SNS supporters did not go anywhere to attack anyone; they were in front of their party’s premises. The essence is that in both Vrbas and Bačka Palanka, citizens gathered with a clear intention to clash with SNS supporters,” the police director said in an interview with RTS.

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A TOTAL OF 70 INJURED

According to Vasiljević, 16 police officers were injured in Vrbas alone, and 52 citizens reported to healthcare facilities. “The result is that we have 70 injured. The police detained multiple individuals overnight and this morning. The situation in Vrbas only calmed down this morning when the crowd dispersed around 6 AM. There were also gatherings in Kragujevac, Niš, and Belgrade. We were not protecting one group; we were protecting public order and peace and did not allow a clash between citizens,” Vasiljević stated.

When asked whether the police used force, Vasiljević said that the police only pushed and separated the two groups.

“IT’S HARD TO FIND THE RIGHT MEASURE”

“There was pushing of SNS sympathizers and those who came to attack SNS sympathizers. There were also attempted attacks in Belgrade on Njegoševa Street. You must understand that it is difficult to find the right measure and ensure there is no conflict in urban areas. Furthermore, you have announced events that are significant for police security, from sports matches to the arrivals of foreign officials,” Vasiljević explained.

The police director says that they have a huge number of unannounced gatherings without organizers, and the police have no one to talk to. “The police call on citizens to respect public order and peace, not to clash, and not to seek a culprit in someone else. The laws of this country must be respected, and the police will not allow conflicts or attacks on anyone,” Police Director Dragan Vasiljević said in an interview with RTS.