Huge crowds join anti-government rally in Belgrade

Tens of thousands protested in Belgrade against President Vucic, demanding accountability for a deadly railway station collapse. Riot police, veterans, and bikers faced off with demonstrators in a tense standoff, as student-led rallies continue to challenge the government.

Serbian anti-corruption protesters, riot police, and supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic faced off in central Belgrade on Saturday as tens of thousands of people turned out for massive anti-government rallies following a night of sporadic clashes.

Police deployed hundreds of officers in full riot gear in and around Pionirski Park, where supporters of Vucic have camped this week inside a ring of parked tractors.

Across the street, hundreds of veterans from elite military brigades in maroon berets and bikers who pledge allegiance to the students lined up along the route where protesters were due to march from 4 p.m. (15:00 GMT) in front of the national parliament to Slavija Square. The bikers paraded slowly, revving their engines.

Students also deployed hundreds of security guards from their own ranks, clad in fluorescent yellow vests, and positioned them between police and protesters.  

Near-daily student protests began in December following the deaths of 15 people when a roof at a railway station collapsed on November 1 in the northern city of Novi Sad, a disaster opponents blame on corruption under Vucic.

Students, teachers, farmers, and workers have joined the demonstrations in a major challenge to Vucic, a populist who has been in power for 12 years as prime minister or president.

Last December, students issued a set of demands that include the release of documents related to the railway station disaster, and accountability for those responsible.

Thousands of marching students, many travelling hundreds of miles on foot or by bike, descended on Serbia's capital late on Friday ahead of Saturday's rally.

Tension and sporadic violence continued overnight and into Saturday.