Belgrade rally turns violent as car rams into demonstrators, injuring three

A BMW drove into a crowd during a rally in Belgrade’s Zarkovo neighbourhood, injuring three people.

Eyewitnesses reported that the vehicle struck a woman, with the impact causing her to roll onto the car’s hood, per Caliber.Az.

Two more people were injured in the incident. The driver, identified as a 50-year-old man, attempted to flee the scene but was stopped by law enforcement officers. He reportedly resisted arrest before being detained. The injured individuals were transported to the hospital for treatment.

The incident occurred amid ongoing protests, which have led to roadblocks in the city centre, with thousands of demonstrators taking to the streets.

Earlier, Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić announced that 13 people were arrested in Belgrade overnight for public order violations.

The mass protests in Serbia began five months ago, following a tragic incident in Novi Sad on November 1, 2024, when a train station canopy collapsed, killing 15 people.

On the evening of March 14, a day before a major demonstration planned for March 15, students began gathering in central Belgrade. Over time, the number of protesters swelled to approximately 31,000. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that the rally had not been coordinated with authorities but urged law enforcement and state agencies to ensure the safety of demonstrators and refrain from using force except in extreme situations.

As of March 15, mass demonstrations are underway in the Serbian capital, with students blocking several streets near the office of President Vučić. Protesters continue to gather in the city center, waving Serbian flags, beating drums, blowing vuvuzelas and whistles, and chanting slogans.

By Tamilla Hasanova