Serbia
Riots during protests against alleged election fraud in Belgrade
Participants of the demonstration tried to break into Belgrade City Hall. photo
© Darko Vojinovic/AP
President Vucic’s party narrowly won the local elections in Belgrade. The opposition speaks of election fraud. Anger erupts again on the street.
Several thousand supporters of the Serbian opposition gathered on Sunday evening Belgrade demonstrated against alleged fraud in the local elections a week ago. It was the seventh protest in a row.
This time, the participants in the rally marched to Belgrade City Hall, which they attempted to enter by force. Police forces used tear gas against the demonstrators, local media reported. A total of 30 police officers were injured and over 30 demonstrators were arrested.
Opposition speaks of election fraud
President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won victories in early parliamentary and local elections in many cities, including Belgrade. In the capital, however, their success on December 17th was narrow. According to the opposition, this too had only come about through massive fraud. Election observers and the media reported numerous irregularities. Among other things, buses are said to have brought people from the Serbian part of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the Belgrade Arena, where they cast votes without being eligible to vote.
Vucic denied allegations of election fraud on Sunday. The Serbian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Saturday evening in Belgrade that it had been reported to several violations of electoral regulations, including the activities in the Belgrade Arena.