FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
The crowd included former members of a feared paramilitary unit involved in the 2003 assassination of democratic Serbia's first prime minister, Zoran Djindjic, as well as football hooligans known for inciting violence.
Tens of thousands of people gathered in central Belgrade on Saturday against populist President Aleksandar Vucic and his government, the latest in a series of anti-corruption protests that have shaken his firm 13-year grip on power.
The sounds of whistles and vuvuzelas echoed throughout the Serbian capital, where security forces have been on high alert since the rally was announced. As people headed to several agreed protest sites, some held signs that read: "He's finished!" Others chanted: "Pump it Up," a slogan adopted during four months of student-led protests.
This was perhaps the largest anti-government rally ever held in the Balkan country.
“I expect this to shake his authority and for Vucic to realize that people are not in his support,” said Milenko Kovacevic, a protester.
Reflecting the rising tensions, police said they arrested a man who rammed his car into protesters in a Belgrade suburb, injuring three people.
Ahead of the demonstration, Vučić repeatedly warned about alleged plans for riots, while threatening arrests and harsh punishments for any incident.
In an apparent attempt to prevent people from attending the rally, Belgrade city transport was cancelled on Saturday as large columns of cars blocked roads leading into the capital.
The transport company said the cancellation was made "for safety reasons."
On Friday evening, tens of thousands of people organized a joyful reception for students who had been marching or cycling for days from all over Serbia towards Belgrade for the main rally on Saturday afternoon. Since early in the morning, people began to gather in different parts of the city, preparing to march towards the center.
Fueling fears of clashes, Vucic's supporters gathered in central Belgrade in front of his headquarters. The crowd included former members of a feared paramilitary unit involved in the 2003 assassination of democratic Serbia's first prime minister, Zoran Djindjic, as well as football hooligans known for inciting violence.
Private television N1 broadcast footage on Saturday of dozens of young people in baseball caps heading to the pro-Vucic camp.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic told state broadcaster RTS that 13 people had been arrested overnight, but no major incidents were reported on Friday. He said police arrested six opposition activists for allegedly plotting to stage a coup and inciting unrest on Saturday.
Protesting students have led the nationwide anti-bribery movement, which began after a concrete canopy collapsed at a train station and killed 15 people in northern Serbia on November 1.
Vucic has claimed that Western intelligence services were behind the almost daily student-led protests aimed at ousting him from power.
The students have struck back at citizens who are disillusioned with politicians and have lost faith in state institutions. Previous student-led rallies in other Serbian cities have been peaceful, while drawing large crowds. /Adapted from Pamphlet by AP/
Lini një Përgjigje