Serbian authorities arrest protesters over lithium mining disputes

Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić has said that Serbian authorities have begun arresting individuals who participated in illegal protests in Belgrade on August 10, opposing the opening of a lithium mining project.

“Fourteen individuals have been held accountable for suspected criminal offenses, three for suspected infractions, and two are foreign nationals,” the minister said at a press conference, Caliber.Az reports citing the Russian media.

Earlier the information went viral that between 24,000 and 27,000 people participated in the protests against lithium mining. The Serbian Interior Ministry noted that while the initial demonstration was peaceful, order was disrupted by protesters afterward.