Overview

• Thousands marched through central Belgrade on September 8, chanting against President Aleksandar Vucic and accusing police of brutality during recent protests.
• Demonstrators called for probes into officers they say are loyal to Vucic and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party and for accountability over excessive force.
• The rally followed a September 5 protest in Novi Sad where police used tear gas and stun grenades, with dozens injured, while police said they responded to attacks by masked individuals.
• Student speakers, including Nikolina Sindjelic, alleged beatings and sexual harassment in detention and cited threats from a special police unit commander.
• Authorities say the police internal control department has opened inquiries as Vucic rejects a snap election and critics decry firings of academics and police deployments on campuses.