European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos remarked that an unparalleled number of Serbian citizens demonstrated peacefully in Belgrade today, calling for the establishment of the rule of law along with robust and accountable democratic institutions.

“I appreciate everyone who played a role in ensuring their safety. An agreement regarding the reforms required for Serbia’s European trajectory should be reached,” she expressed on X.

The “Public Gathering Archive” website reported estimates indicating that between 275,000 and 325,000 people participated in today’s protest, with the potential for even higher attendance.

President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, previously noted different estimates, stating that the army indicated 88,000 attendees, the police suggested 107,000, and the BIA provided an estimate “somewhere in between.”

President Aleksandar Vučić expressed satisfaction that a significant protest took place in Belgrade today, where “enormous negative energy, anger, and rage towards the authorities” were visible, and no serious injuries or casualties were reported.

He mentioned that 22 individuals were arrested, denied any claims regarding the use of a “sound cannon,” calling such accusations shameful.

The police in Zrenjanin arrested a 23-year-old man, SN, on suspicions of inciting violent changes to the constitutional order.

He is alleged to have posted images of an automatic weapon and ammunition on Instagram from a fictitious account, captioning it with “preparing for tomorrow” and “15.3”.

A criminal complaint has been filed against him, and he has been brought to the prosecutor’s office.

According to N1, a representative from the Serbian Ministry of the Interior stated that no “sound cannon” was utilized, asserting that the weapon’s usage is not compliant with the law.

They affirmed that only legally sanctioned methods are in use and that the relevant authorities will determine what transpired.

Following the announcement from the students that the protest no longer represented them, there has been a notable reduction in the number of individuals gathered around the Serbian Parliament; however, some remain present, reported a “Vijesti” correspondent.

The police presence has intensified around the Post Office, in front of the Parliament, and throughout Pioneer Park where “students wishing to study” are located.

There has been a doubling of gendarmes stationed at the park entrance, where disturbances have been reported, with several individuals throwing stones.

Social media speculation arose that a noise interrupting the fifteen-minute silence at the protest caused panic, being attributed to a sonic weapon or “sound cannon.”

Military analyst Aleksandar Radić detailed to N1 that the device in question is an American non-lethal sonic weapon intended to incapacitate targets.

“The primary concern from tonight’s events is who sanctioned the use of such devices? In a peaceful gathering meant to observe a fifteen-minute tribute to victims, weaponry was deployed. This act showcases a crude display of power, indicative of arrogance and rooted in disdain for one’s own citizens,” Radić stated.

He claimed that the “sonic cannon” has been in possession of Serbia’s security services for several years.

MP Zdravko Ponoš also commented that, based on the information he received, it was indeed a sonic weapon.

“The crowd’s reaction, feeling as if something had passed by them, was due to the sound’s use, intended to intimidate them,” explained Ponoš.

He further noted that, beyond instilling panic, such weapons can pose health risks, emphasizing that their deployment during a moment of silence for victims is a full-blown scandal.

Students have withdrawn back to their faculties, while some citizens persist in gathering on the streets.

The British news agency Reuters has released images from tonight’s rally.

At approximately 20:45, members of the gendarmerie advanced in Humvees from the Faculty of Law towards the city center, heading towards the Serbian Parliament, only to halt shortly afterward.

They were instructed to lower their shields and, soon after, vacated the area, as reported by an N1 correspondent.

Protesters chanted: “Arrest Vučić,” “He’s finished.”

Burning torches were hurled towards Pioneer Park, with red and white smoke arising from the area, as reported by a “Vijesti” correspondent.

Gunfire was intermittently heard.

Video: Marija Pešić

A speech by President Aleksandar Vučić is scheduled for 22 pm.

Earlier this evening, Vučić shared a brief message on Instagram alongside a photo of himself wrapped in a flag, stating: “Serbia lives.”

An incident unfolded on Nikola Pašić Square tonight as several individuals attacked and assaulted a young man who then collapsed and lay on the asphalt, as reported by N1.

The cause of the conflict remains unclear. An ambulance subsequently arrived at the scene.

Following a breach of silence at Slavija, the student riot police removed their vests and declared that this was no longer their protest, urging all students to return to their faculties.

The Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that incidents and clashes occurred at several locations in central Belgrade among certain protest participants, who repeatedly assaulted police officers in attempts to disrupt their duties and incite further unrest.

“Members of the Ministry of Internal Affairs are executing all appropriate measures and actions within their jurisdiction to avert further escalation of these incidents, preserve public order and peace, protect citizens, and uphold security,” the statement added.

The world’s top tennis player, Novak Djokovic, referred to today’s protest as historic and magnificent in an Instagram story.

Speaker of the Serbian Parliament, Ana Brnabić, dismissed claims suggesting that the attacks during tonight’s protests in front of the Parliament were executed by individuals from the camp in Pionirski Park, asserting that instead, “extremist” elements targeted both students at the blockade and those in the park.

“It’s a lie that anyone from Pioneer Park was the aggressor. Clear evidence shows that extremists attacked students in both locations. Violence will not be tolerated,” she wrote on the social platform X.

An N1 reporter at Slavija noted that she heard announcements over loudspeakers indicating minor incidents had occurred near the Parliament, but that the situation was under control, allowing protesters to continue.

The gendarmerie initially stationed in front of the Serbian Parliament has moved towards the Constitutional Court of Serbia, with a new police unit arriving to replace them. N1 reports that this was merely a personnel change.

An N1 correspondent previously mentioned that members of the Gendarmerie departed the area in front of the Parliament, greeting the citizens they passed, and were replaced by another police cordon.

The Instagram account “Students in Blockade” reported that bottles and stones were lobbed from the direction of Pioneer Park.

They noted that the student protest was drawing to a close.

“Our officers have taken off their vests. We urge all citizens to seek safety,” read their post.

Police units have taken to the streets surrounding the Serbian Parliament, while students conveyed that the incidents were instigated and that they could no longer organize the protest, handing over responsibility for protecting citizens to the police and the Gendarmerie.

This was communicated by the students to a “Vijesti” reporter on the ground.

The police are moving behind the Parliament towards the Church of St. Mark, directing towards Tašmajdan Park located in front of that church.

Video: Marija Pešić