"Hate and violence" is condemned by the EU amid protests in Serbia.

 

The European Union on Thursday strongly condemned "acts of hatred and violence" in Serbia and called for calm days after a massive protest ended in clashes between police and demonstrators.

 Thousands of protesters have blocked roads in Belgrade and other Serbian cities nightly, decrying alleged police brutality and mass arrests following Saturday's anti-government rally that drew 140,000 people.

 After the demonstration, riot police used tear gas and batons to disperse crowds that hurled bottles and flares, with President Aleksandar Vucic promising to arrest demonstrators involved in the violence.

 Late Wednesday, riot police forcibly cleared street blockades in several cities, detaining nearly 80 people in the capital.

 "All acts of hatred and violence are strongly condemned by us." The rights of peaceful demonstration, freedom of assembly and freedom of expression are to be upheld," the EU delegation in Serbia posted on X.

 The statement said, "police action must be proportionate and respect fundamental rights."

 Serbian police have denied allegations of excessive use of force as videos on social media show clashes between police and students in front of university buildings.

 The European Union demanded a guarantee of "due process" for arrested protesters and an investigation into allegations of brutality that was "swift, transparent, and credible." Saturday's protest was one of the largest since the collapse of a train station roof in Novi Sad in November, which killed 16 people in a tragedy widely blamed on deep-rooted corruption.

 Although student-led, the protest movement has received wide support from across Serbian society.

 A survey conducted in April by a group of experts who support the student movement found that 59% of citizens supported the movement, although authorities dispute this figure. While celebrating his victory over Dan Evans from Britain at Wimbledon on Wednesday, Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic pumped his arms, a protest symbol. It is the second time the Serbian tennis great, beloved in his home country, has performed the movement similar to the "Pumpaj", which protesters enact to signify pumping up pressure on the government.

 Protesters have called for early parliamentary elections, but so far, Vucic has ignored their demands.

 Student protesters have been on the move since Saturday, occupying intersections and halting traffic with local blockades made mostly of bins and fencing. Dozens have been arrested in recent weeks, with an increase in police action since Saturday's rally.

 The protest movement has posed the strongest challenge so far to the populist government in its over 12 years in power.

 On Sunday, Vucic declared that he would not give in to the protesters' demands and threatened further arrests.

 The remarks were made during one of his many television appearances, the most recent of 220 in the first half of 2025. During these appearances, he frequently describes protesters as "paid by foreign interests" and accuses them of attempting a coup.