British tourists found themselves fleeing through Belgrade's streets as violent clashes erupted between police and anti-government protesters. Ben Lawrence (18), from Stoke-by-Nayland, described the terrifying experience: "The police were charging and starting to attack protesters, so we ran with a horde of people which was terrifying. It wasn't like police at home doing a job, but rather two opposing sides that hate each other."
The Serbian capital has been paralysed by intense fighting from 7:30pm to 11:30pm on consecutive nights this week. Police deployed tear gas, riot shields and three armoured vehicles against thousands of demonstrators who tore up paving stones and hurled fireworks at officers.
Another British tourist, Jez (23) from St Albans, witnessed the chaos from his accommodation near the fighting. He compared the atmosphere to authoritarian regimes: "It reminds me of Putin's Russia. I went to Moscow seven or eight years ago and this is quite like it."
Nine months of mounting anger
The violent escalation stems from a railway station roof collapse in Novi Sad last November that killed 16 people. Protesters blame government corruption and incompetence for the tragedy, demanding the resignation of President Aleksandar Vučić.
What began as peaceful demonstrations has transformed into nightly battles in Belgrade's city centre. Tourists have seen their evenings filled with tear gas, combative chanting and burning barricades manned by thousands of protesters.
Vladimir Šupeljak, who faced down riot police lines in his wheelchair, declared he was ready for "whatever it takes" to remove Vučić's regime. He dismissed the president's legitimacy: "No. He is the crime boss. He is the boss of the mafia."
Student resistance grows
Student organiser Bogdan Babić (27), who was struck by police batons three times on Wednesday, coordinates daily silent protests. He explained his motivation: "I'm expressing myself by blocking the roads for the people in Novi Sad."
Demonstrators block streets for exactly 16 minutes to honour the 16 victims, before larger evening protests begin. The protests have been ongoing for nine months but reached new levels of violence this week.
Police have responded with full riot gear, using batons, tear gas and flash bangs against angry crowds. Dozens of Serbs have been injured in the clashes, though no British tourists were hurt.
Government promises crackdown
President Vučić has rejected claims of peaceful protest, promising more arrests in a live television broadcast. He declared: "I think it is clear they did not want peace and Ghandi-type protests. There will be more arrests."
Belgrade is bracing for even larger demonstrations this weekend, with further escalation expected. The British government has not issued any travel warning about Belgrade or Serbia generally, despite the ongoing violence.
Serbia was at the centre of wars in the 1990s marked by the worst European atrocities since World War Two, as the former Yugoslavia broke up.
Sources used: "Mirror" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
