Thousands of people rallied against violence in Belgrade, the third after the mass shootings in Serbia in early May. The authorities refuse responsibility and say that foreign intelligence agencies are behind the protests.
The protesters expressed dissatisfaction with the actions of the authorities after two executions, which killed 18 people, including children. The demonstrators called on Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to resign. They also demanded the dismissal of two ministers and the revocation of licenses from two television networks, which, according to the protesters, promote violence and praise criminal personalities.
“We are here because we want a Serbia without violence. We cannot let them play with the lives of our children,” said a participant in the rally. Protesters marched through the capital, stopping traffic on the main bridge and highway passing through the city. The journalists noted that it was the most massive of the past rallies.
In response to protests from citizens, the pro-Russian Vučić said the rallies were organized “from the West” and accused the opposition of trying to seize power. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said the authorities were not responsible for the shootings and called opposition MPs “a core of violence”.
A rally in support of Vucic is planned for next week in Belgrade. According to the Serbian president, he is ready to dismiss the government and call snap elections for September.
