Serbian police use tear gas to disperse anti-government protesters

Serbian police used tear gas and stun grenades Friday to disperse protesters at a university campus in Novi Sad demanding early elections and the resignation of President Aleksandar Vucic and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

Thousands gathered at the state university campus in the evening, carrying banners calling for elections and chanting “Vucic, leave!” Protesters clashed with police, throwing flares while officers attempted to push the crowd back.

In a late-night address, Vucic said 11 police officers were injured. There was no immediate information on the number of protesters hurt. He accused foreign security services of influencing the protests and said his supporters would stage rallies across the country on Sunday.

The demonstrations began last year following the collapse of the Novi Sad railway station roof in November, which killed 16 people. Protesters have blamed government corruption for the disaster and have repeatedly demanded early elections.

Students, opposition groups, and anti-corruption organizations have also accused Vucic and his allies of ties to organized crime, using violence against political opponents, and suppressing media freedoms—claims the president denies.

Despite months of mostly peaceful protests, clashes turned more violent on August 13, injuring dozens of civilians and police officers.

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