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Serbia Protest Violence Escalates with Ruling-Party Office Arson

President Vučić’s designation of demonstrators as terrorists precedes plans for a strict legal response

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Overview

  • A masked group burned an SNS party office in Valjevo during the fourth consecutive night of violent clashes in Belgrade, Novi Sad and other cities
  • Interior Minister Ivica Dačić reported dozens of arrests and several police injuries without disclosing figures for protesters
  • Protesters accuse alleged SNS thugs of attacking activists and property in Vrbas, Bačka Palanka and Valjevo without police intervention, fueling retaliatory unrest
  • What began as peaceful, student-led marches over a fatal Novi Sad station collapse nine months ago has shifted toward street battles and arson
  • President Vučić has labeled the movement terrorists and is preparing stricter laws to empower security forces against demonstrators