About 140,000 student-led protesters clash with police in Belgrade over early election call

Around 140,000 protesters have rallied in Belgrade as student-led demonstrations mount pressure on the populist government to call early elections. SEE THE VIDEO

Around 140,000 protesters have rallied in Belgrade, the largest turnout in recent months, as student-led demonstrations mount pressure on the populist government to call early elections.

The rally was one of the largest in over six months of student-led actions, which began in November after the roof of a train station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad, killing 16 people.

The tragedy was widely blamed on entrenched corruption.

Earlier on Saturday, local time, a sea of protesters filled Belgrade’s largest square and poured into several surrounding streets.

Serbian Riot Police clash with protesters as tens of thousands of protesters gather in central Belgrade. Picture: Marko Djokovic / AFP

The Independent Protest Monitor, Archive of Public Gatherings, estimated the crowd size at around 140,000, significantly higher than the police estimate of 36,000.

“We want elections!” the crowd chanted, waving Serbian flags and holding banners bearing the names of cities and towns from around the country.

For more than six months, students have blockaded universities and organised large demonstrations around the country, demanding a transparent investigation into the deaths.

But in contrast with previous gatherings, which have remained peaceful, clashes erupted between demonstrators and riot police.

Police were seen firing tear gas and stun grenades as protesters hurled flares at rows of police in several clashes following the huge gathering in Serbia’s capital.

Flares burn as Serbian Riot Police move towards protesters as tens of thousands gather in central Belgrade. Picture: Marko Djokovic / AFP

Police director Dragan Vasiljevic said officers had used batons after coming under attack but denied deploying “chemical agents” to disperse the crowd.

Dozens were detained, while six officers and two people were injured in the violence, Vasiljevic said.

Ahead of Saturday’s protest, organisers issued an “ultimatum” for President Aleksandar Vucic to announce elections – a demand rejected.

As the protest ended, organisers played a statement to the crowd, calling for Serbians to “take freedom into your own hands” and giving them the “green light”.

“The authorities had all the mechanisms and all the time to meet the demands and prevent an escalation,” the organisers said in a statement on Instagram after the rally.

“Instead, they chose violence and repression against the citizens. Any radicalisation of the situation is their responsibility.”

Following the clashes, the police minister “strongly condemned the attacks” on officers and said those responsible would be arrested.

Originally published as About 140,000 student-led protesters clash with police in Belgrade over early election call