Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated last night that there are 64 injured supporters of the Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) in Novi Sad, adding that "there will be no mercy for the beaters and hooligans."
Vučić also said that it is currently known that 16 police officers have been injured, two of whom are seriously injured.
"Tonight is a difficult evening for the citizens of Serbia and what is important is that thanks to the wisdom and tolerance and patience of a huge number of citizens, we have miraculously managed to preserve peace," Vučić said at a conference at the headquarters of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Belgrade.
"Sixty-four citizens were injured in the SNS premises in Novi Sad. An ambulance arrived to help them. These people did not want to retreat, they were resisting the beaters and blockaders," he said.
He added that "there were 1.065 (protesters) in Novi Sad and they took turns attacking the front and back parts of the building (SNS premises)."
"They organized themselves to beat and kill. There was a well-organized attack in Novi Sad tonight, and when they encountered resistance on Stražilovska Street, they returned to the campus (of the University of Novi Sad) to get the poles," Vučić said.
"There were 3.084 people in all locations in Belgrade. In all locations they attacked the police and citizens who think differently," Vučić said, adding: "We will establish public order and peace."
Vučić said that the state would "establish peace and order" and that in all places where there were demonstrations, demonstrators attacked the police.
"Nothing happened anywhere except near the premises of a political party that the blockaders and beaters don't like," Vučić said of his ruling party, the SNS, and added that he was waiting for the prosecutor's reaction.
"Nobody attacked them anywhere. They went everywhere to attack those who think differently. What they did tonight was a multiple murder attempt. We are waiting to see what the prosecution has to say."
He accused the protesters of "organizing to beat and kill" political opponents.
"We never even thought about bringing the army out and there is no need. There will be no civil war. I invite them to sit down and talk," Vučić said.
"At this moment, we are taking measures. The streets of Belgrade and soon Novi Sad are being cleaned of thugs. There will be no mercy for thugs and hooligans," he said.
Dačić on the person with a gun in front of the SNS in Novi Sad: The Serbian Army ensign was on official duty
Last night, the media published a video showing a person pulling out a gun during a clash between SNS supporters and citizens, in front of the party's premises in Novi Sad.
Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said that the man was a sergeant major in the Serbian Army and that he was "on an official mission to secure a protected person."
Dačić said he wanted to deny the allegations that "someone from a group of SNS supporters pulled a gun."
"In this attack, there was a danger that even human lives would be lost, a man who used, or rather did not use, but had with him, an official weapon in accordance with the law, Serbian Army Warrant Officer Vladimir Brkušanin, who was seriously injured in the process. If he had not taken out his official pistol and used it, I am sure that he and everyone else would have suffered serious consequences, perhaps even lost human lives," Dačić said in an interview with TV Informer, as reported by N1.
Dačić: 27 police officers injured, around 70-80 people, mostly attacks on SNS premises, but also SPS
Dačić: stated today that 27 police officers were injured during last night's incidents, and that 47 misdemeanor charges and five criminal charges were filed.
"Some of the police officers were seriously injured. Around 70-80 people were injured in the attacks by the blockaders. The premises of the Serbian Progressive Party were attacked first and foremost, most violently in Novi Sad, and also the premises of the Socialist Party of Serbia. The attacks took place in several cities," said Dačić, in an extraordinary address from the Palace of Serbia.
He said that further work is being done to identify the attackers, that "enforcements are underway" so that all of them can be prosecuted, and that someone would probably have lost their life if the police had not prevented the clashes.
The Prosecutor's Office has ordered the identification of all those who attacked the police.
The Belgrade Higher Public Prosecutor's Office (VJP) announced that it has ordered the police to identify all those who attacked "police officers who were securing unregistered citizen gatherings on the territory of Belgrade" last night.
The statement says that those who used force against police officers will be prosecuted for the criminal offense of "violent behavior at a sports event or public gathering."
The Prosecutor's Office stated on its website "that violence on the streets of the capital must not go unpunished", especially not when, as it pointed out, "it is committed against bodies tasked with ensuring public order and peace".
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