Overview

• The German government urged Belgrade to investigate attacks on demonstrators and journalists and to safeguard freedom of assembly, while rejecting claims it overlooks democratic deficits because of lithium interests.
• Student-led protests against President Aleksandar Vučić have continued nationwide with recent violent clashes involving police and pro-government supporters.
• Independent local outlets report that provocateurs linked to the ruling SNS, allegedly aided by police and intelligence services, have stoked confrontations at rallies.
• A detained student, Nikolina Sinđelić, alleged a rape threat and beatings by officers after her arrest in Belgrade on August 14, intensifying public outrage over police tactics.
• SNS leader Miloš Vučević called supporters to pro-government gatherings at about 50 locations on Wednesday, as opposition groups appealed to EU officials to condemn police violence and consider travel bans and asset freezes.