Dozens injured in Belgrade protests (VIDEOS)

More than 20 people have been arrested for assaulting police officers and causing property damage in the Serbian capital

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has praised police for handling the crowd of over 80,000 protesters “responsibly,” ensuring order and public safety during an anti-government rally in the Serbian capital that turned violent, leaving 56 people injured and 22 arrested.

Authorities estimated that between 88,000 and 107,000 people participated in Saturday’s rally, described as one of the largest in Serbia’s recent history. Vucic accused instigators within the largely peaceful crowd of attempting to stage a “color revolution,” alleging foreign influence aimed at destabilizing the country.

Violence erupted when “several dozen people in an intoxicated state” attempted to attack police officers and others outside the presidential building in Pionirski Park, Vucic said. Security forces arrested 22 individuals for assaulting officers and damaging property.

Panic brakes out in the Belgrade crowd, shortly before protest comes to an end

Local media report that unknown persons in the rally launched stun grenades https://t.co/072V0UYwS4 pic.twitter.com/80Pww90fDK— RT (@RT_com) March 15, 2025

The Serbian leader said he was proud that most of the protesters remained peaceful and that those responsible for the violence had been arrested.

“I realized that these young people did not want to participate in the violence after the first incidents. They left the gathering when they realized that they no longer had control,” Vucic said.