The Serbian Parliament has announced that, for security reasons, the National Assembly buildings will remain closed from today until Monday, allowing the planned rally on Saturday, March 15th, in Belgrade, in front of the National Assembly Building, to proceed without incidents, as reported by the media this morning.

According to media sources, the Serbian Parliament stated that, based on the security assessment from the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MUP), the Secretary General has decided to close the National Assembly House at Trg Nikole Pašića 13 and the National Assembly Building at Ulica Kralja Milana 14 from today until midnight on March 16, in order to mitigate any potential provocations and conflicts.

“This decision was made solely for safety reasons to ensure that the rally on March 15th in Belgrade, outside the National Assembly, can occur without incidents,” states the official announcement shared with Members of Parliament and assembly staff.

Students participating in the blockade have declared plans to protest at the Serbian Parliament on Saturday, March 15th, and have invited citizens to join them. Several state officials have warned of possible clashes and violence occurring in the streets that day.

In a segment produced by pro-government media outlets – Happy TV, TV Prva, Informer TV, Studio B, and TV Pink – recordings were aired last night, allegedly made at the Novi Sad board of the Free Citizens’ Movement (PSG). The recordings suggest that participants discussed strategies for promoting the idea of a transitional government in Belgrade on Saturday and inciting violence.

The PSG has stated that the views expressed in these recordings, aired last night on pro-government media, do not reflect the positions or plans of the PSG, particularly regarding the student protests and their demands.

US Embassy Issues Security Advisory on Protests in Belgrade

The US Embassy in Belgrade has issued a security advisory for American citizens concerning a protest scheduled for tomorrow, which could see participation from hundreds of thousands of people, urging them to steer clear of large crowds and mass gatherings.

“Significant protest activities are anticipated in Belgrade, potentially attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees. Protests may extend throughout downtown Belgrade, particularly in areas surrounding state institutions and the headquarters of the public broadcaster RTS,” notes the advisory for US citizens on the embassy’s website.

It is also indicated that Serbian police are preparing for large crowds, which may lead to traffic congestion, disruption of public services, and severe consequences for critical services, including emergency medical assistance, as well as potential mobile communication disruptions, with the government cautioning against possible violence.

The Russian Embassy in Serbia has shared a statement from Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, which says, “Once again, we urge political forces involved in the ongoing events in Serbia to exercise restraint. It is crucial to recognize the severe consequences that could arise from reckless actions driven by fleeting emotions.”

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