Four individuals were detained in Serbia today following disturbances outside the Belgrade City Hall.

Incidents involving fights and altercations with private security took place in front of the building, prompting police intervention after the tumultuous local parliamentary session concluded.

Since early morning, councilors encountered metal barriers and a significant presence of security personnel at Nikola Pašić Square, as reported by N1. As the session commenced, opposition councilors stood before the chairman, waving Serbian flags and continuously singing the national anthem, while government councilors remained seated. Opposition representatives previously indicated their intention to disrupt the parliamentary proceedings but aimed to avoid violence and entries into the building.

The ruling majority councilors adopted the agenda amidst the sounds of “God of Justice” and continued their proceedings. They quickly concluded their business and approved all agenda items, according to N1.

Simultaneously, a fight erupted outside the Parliament between private security personnel and angry citizens. Protesters hurled eggs and red paint, leading to the police substituting the private guards at the building and subsequent arrests.

The Beta news agency noted physical altercations occurred within the crowd, with reports of some individuals allegedly wielding spray cans and stun grenades.

The chaos outside the Belgrade City Assembly persisted even after the session ended, during which the financial plans of public enterprises and several regulatory plans were approved.

A significant police presence in riot gear assembled outside the building, with multiple individuals detained for clashing with security, as reported by Beta.

Among the assembled crowd were members of opposition parties.

An incident unfolded in the Belgrade Parliament after the session, with private security personnel attempting to exit but being obstructed by police officers.

The private security guards sought to assist a colleague allegedly pepper-sprayed outside the building, but their efforts were thwarted by the gathered citizens.

Eventually, the ambulance managed to transport the injured man away from the scene.

“The Bridge Remains”: Five activists arrested

The “Most ostaje” initiative reported that five of its activists, including Dejan Atanacković and Nebojša Petrović, were arrested during the disturbances outside the Belgrade Parliament and called for their immediate release.

The statement emphasized that security personnel hired by Mayor Aleksandar Šapić attacked their activists and citizens, while the police opted to arrest the activists instead.

Citizens were urged to rally at the Novi Beograd Police Department at 2 PM in support of those detained.

According to the “Most ostaje” initiative, the arrested individuals were taken to the premises of the Security and Information Agency (BIA), which shares the building with the Novi Beograd Police Department.

The statement lamented, “If anyone should be arrested in Belgrade, it is Mayor Šapić for promoting unprecedented corruption and violence against institutions.”

Beta had previously reported that four individuals were detained, including writer Dejan Atanacković.

Atanacković, a conceptual artist and writer, has been a leading figure in the campaign “The Bridge Remains,” aimed at protecting the Old Sava Bridge, which initiated today’s protests. He was awarded the 2017 Nin Award for Literature for his novel “Lusitania.”

Dačić: Police responded to requests from the City Assembly

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić stated that incidents occurred at the Belgrade City Assembly, which prompted police action at the request of the institution to “maintain public order and peace.”

During a parliamentary session, he clarified that police behaved appropriately and did not misidentify citizens.

“We were summoned by the City Assembly to maintain public order. We cannot dictate who enters the building, although councilors can, but no one is allowed to bring any prohibited items inside,” Dačić stated.

Manojlović: The session was conducted unlawfully

The leader of the Go – Change party, Savo Manojlović, claimed that the session of the Belgrade Assembly occurred in “entirely irregular conditions” and lacked proper record-keeping.

“It was evident that the councilors, even if they don’t know the anthem, don’t care what they vote on,” Manojlović expressed.

He elaborated that the councilors opted to disrupt the session by singing the Serbian anthem as an act of solidarity against the government’s current stance towards educators and students.

He called on citizens to join the general strike and the March 15th protest in Belgrade.

Pavlović: Funds used for elections in Montenegro and RS

Miloš Pavlović, a councilor from the People’s Movement of Serbia, also deemed the session as illegitimate.

He highlighted that the ‘T&M Group Solutions’ company was employed to secure the session amidst rising tensions with citizens, and questioned the usage of security tools.

Pavlović stated, “It’s unacceptable that this private company, financed with taxpayer money to the tune of 17 billion dinars in 2024, is now involved in acts of violence against citizens.”

Miljuš: Private security firms incited the incident

Branko Miljuš of the Freedom and Justice Party (SSP) argued that today’s conflicts at the Belgrade Parliament stemmed from aggression by private security forces who attacked citizens and activists.

He firmly dismissed allegations that anyone among the citizens used pepper spray, asserting, “Only eggs and paint were thrown. Were the guards the ones who sprayed themselves?”

Miljuš reiterated that they had alerted the police concerning provocations from the security guards but to no avail.

He announced that opposition representatives would proceed to the Criminal Police Directorate to ascertain the whereabouts of the detained activists.

He vowed to release images of the security personnel who threatened citizens, likening their behavior to that of officials making threats against the populace.