Serbian police detain plotters ahead of major anti-government rally

In Serbia, tensions escalated ahead of a significant anti-government rally scheduled for June 28, 2025, in the capital city, Belgrade. Authorities arrested several individuals, including an opposition politician, who were suspected of conspiring to overthrow the government. Among those detained were six individuals on June 25, 2025, accused of preparing acts against the constitutional order and security of Serbia, with allegations of individuals meeting to plan violent changes to governance. These arrests occurred following ongoing protests fueled by public outrage over government corruption following a tragic infrastructure accident. The protests began in November 2024 after a collapsed rail station canopy resulted in the deaths of 16 people, prompting widespread allegations of negligence and corruption involving the government led by President Aleksandar Vucic. University students emerged as a primary driving force behind these demonstrations, consistently rallying for accountability and demanding early parliamentary elections. Despite these demands, Vucic’s government has resisted calls for a snap vote, heightening tensions as protests continued nearly daily leading up to the summer rally. On June 28, 2025, the rally attracted tens of thousands of protesters, including many university students advocating for significant political change. Riot police were deployed across the city to manage the crowd's movements. While the demonstrations aimed to voice grievances against Vucic and to demand early elections, riot police clashed with protesters, even using tear gas to disperse crowds at certain points during the rally. This unrest was exacerbated by the presence of pro-government supporters who had been bused in from various regions, raising security concerns about possible confrontations. In the lead-up to the rally, various challenges arose as police banned entry into the country for certain individuals, suggested as a measure to suppress dissent. Furthermore, continuity of anti-corruption protests stood at the forefront of civil unrest, with citizens denouncing the government's increasing authoritarianism and stifling of democratic freedoms. Vucic, who has been accused of consolidating his power through nefarious means, resisted efforts to initiate dialogues with student activists and civil society actors, choosing instead to assert that the state would remain intact and secure. In summary, Serbia remains embroiled in a tense political climate as the citizens demand accountability and governmental changes. As protests rallied in Belgrade, the government's response to these movements through arrests and police crackdowns showcased the ongoing struggle between the ruling party and sections of the populace advocating for reform amidst accusations of corruption.