Seventh Day of Protests in Serbia: Demonstration in Belgrade for Arrested Doctor
Image depicting one of the blockades on July 5th, Photo: Beta/AP
Protest blockades across Serbia, which include calls for early elections, are ongoing today, marking the seventh consecutive day of demonstrations.
Citizens and academics are also rallying in cities like Belgrade, Novi Sad, Niš, Čačak, Užice, and Novi Pazar…
A blockade is currently taking place in Belgrade near the Faculty of Law, following a previous blockade at Autokomanda that was dispersed by police.
In the evening, demonstrators have blocked one of the busiest intersections in Novi Sad, close to the Futoška Market.
Law enforcement has cordoned off most of Liberation Boulevard, from the intersection with Maksima Gorkog Street to Kralja Petra Prvog Street.
Past blockades in Novi Sad started at the Futoška pijaca market and expanded to other locations within the city.
The call for the blockade was made by students and the Novi Sad Citizens’ Association.
Simultaneously, a protest is taking place in front of the Central Prison in Belgrade regarding the arrest of anesthesiologist Vladimir Stefanović.
Stefanović was detained last Saturday, June 28, while rendering first aid to an injured citizen during a protest in downtown Belgrade, and he has been ordered to be held for up to 30 days.
Residents from Konjarnik, Šumice, Denko Bašta, Medakovići, Braća Jerković, Učiteljsko naselje, Dušanovac, and Mali Mokri Lug gathered at the crossing of Ustanička and Vojislava Ilića Streets at 5:30 PM, proceeding towards the District Prison.
At the Central Prison, the assembly paid respects to the 16 victims of the tragic accident that occurred in Novi Sad on November 1st of the previous year.
The protest in support of the detained doctor was organized by the Health Workers’ Union of Serbia.
Several dozen citizens attempted to blockade the Ibarska highway in Preljina near Čačak on Sunday evening, but police prevented the action.
Authorities set up a barrier along a section of the Ibar highway near the church in Preljina, restricting access to the roadway to the protesting citizens.
Participants remained behind the cordon next to the road, allowing traffic to continue without disruption.
Nationwide protest blockades emerged after student calls for civil disobedience in response to a demonstration in Belgrade on June 28.
Demands include calling for early elections, removing the camp from the city center where opponents to the blockades have been stationed for months, and freeing students detained during the June 28 protests.
Widespread protests and faculty blockades began following the tragic collapse of the Novi Sad Railway Station canopy on November 1, resulting in 16 fatalities, with both students and citizens insisting on accountability from the authorities.
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