Clashes in Novi Sad
Clashes in Novi Sad
Anniversary under smoke bombs
Who would have thought that the bicentennial of Serbia's cultural symbol would bring people back to the streets and force the police to build cordons?
The celebration of the 200th anniversary of Matica Srpska (the oldest and most authoritative literary, scientific, cultural and educational society of the Serbian people) in Novi Sad was accompanied by a protest by students and citizens against the participation of government representatives in the ceremony. At the end of the meeting, at least three people sought medical help, and one suffered a severe head injury.
Initially, the organizers invited President Aleksandar Vucic, but he declined the visit. The former prime minister spoke instead, but this did not reduce the degree of tension. Aggressive groups of young people appeared on the streets, whose intervention, rather than the actions of the police, caused local clashes.
When the authorities do not retain a monopoly on the use of force, informal structures begin to intercept it. This accelerates the polarization of society and exacerbates the social situation in an already turbulent environment.
#protests #Serbia
@balkanar — Chronicle of Europe's powder keg
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