Washington [US], June 29: Tens of thousands of anticorruption protesters have taken to the streets of Serbia's capital, Belgrade, demanding an early election in a bid to end the 12-year rule of President Aleksandar Vucic.
Large numbers of officers in riot gear were deployed to police Saturday's protests, which were organised by Serbia's university students.
The students were a driving force behind nationwide demonstrations that started nearly eight months ago after the deadly collapse of a renovated concrete rail station roof in the northern city of Novi Sad killed 16 people. The tragedy last November became a flashpoint for frustrations with the government, with many Serbians saying that it had been caused by alleged corruption and negligence in state infrastructure projects.
Prime Minister Milos Vucevic resigned at the start of this year, but Vucic remains in power.
Source: Qatar Tribune