New protest against alleged election fraud in Belgrade Suspected terrorism in Vienna: three people in custody

Several thousand supporters of the Serbian opposition demonstrated in Belgrade on Monday evening against alleged fraud in the local elections on December 17. The participants of the demonstration marched through the center of Belgrade shouting “Thieves, thieves!”, as a reporter from the German Press Agency noted. It was the eighth protest in a row.

Powerful President Aleksandar Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won victories in snap parliamentary elections and local elections in many cities, including Belgrade. In Belgrade, however, the presidential party’s success was limited.

Accusation: false residence

According to the opposition and analyzes of election researchers, this narrow victory was only achieved through massive fraud. Tens of thousands of ruling party voters who do not live in Belgrade are said to have illegally cast votes for the city meeting due to the organized registration of fictitious homes. Vucic denied the allegations during a press conference on Sunday.

On Sunday, the protest by frustrated voters escalated. Opposition politicians wanted to enter Belgrade City Hall, but police prevented them from doing so. Suspected provocateurs threw stones at the building and the police. The police used tear gas against the demonstrators. According to the Interior Ministry, 38 protesters were arrested and eight police officers were injured.

(dsc/sda/dpa)