Serbia - Riots at protest against alleged election fraud in Belgrade
Several thousand supporters of the Serbian opposition demonstrated in Belgrade on Sunday evening against alleged fraud in the local elections a week ago. It was the seventh protest in a row.
This time, the participants of the rally marched to Belgrade City Hall, which they tried to force their way into. Police forces used tear gas against the demonstrators, according to local media reports. A total of 30 police officers were injured and over 30 demonstrators were arrested.
Opposition speaks of electoral fraud
The Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic had won victories in the 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 was also only achieved 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 their votes without being entitled to do so.
Vucic denied the accusation of electoral fraud on Sunday. The Serbian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced on Saturday evening in Belgrade that it had been notified of several violations of election regulations, including the activities in the Belgrade Arena.
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- The opposition parties in Municipalities across Serbia have accused the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) of President Aleksandar Vucic of engaging in election fraud during the local elections held a week ago, particularly in Belgrade.
- The tumultuous demonstrations against the alleged election fraud in Belgrade continued for the seventh consecutive Sunday, attracting a large crowd of local residents who were disappointed with the outcome of the local election.
- The local media reported that the police used tear gas against the demonstrators who attempted to force their way into Belgrade City Hall, leading to injuries among 30 police officers and over 30 arrests of the protesters.
- Aleksandar Vucic, the president of Serbia, denied the accusations of electoral fraud during his speech to the nation on Sunday, while the Serbian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade announced that they were investigating several violations of election regulations, including the activities in the Belgrade Arena.
- Following the local election results in multiple Municipalities on December 17th, which saw widespread allegations of electoral fraud, public tension and escalating demonstrations against the government led to a few municipalities in Serbia postponing their scheduled municipal elections scheduled for this coming Sunday.
Source: www.stern.de
