Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić said on Thursday that dozens of people were injured, two women seriously, following clashes outside a Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) event in the city of Niš.
“These injuries were clearly not caused by eggs but by stones. You also saw the mayor being attacked and Minister Žarić being harassed. We faced violence, and the police took all necessary measures to bring those who broke the law to justice. Regardless of the circumstances, anyone who committed a crime or offense will be held accountable,” Dačić told TV Pink.
Dačić stressed that no one has the right to disrupt gatherings, especially those that were officially registered in advance.
Serbia’s ruling Progressive Party (SNS) canceled a planned rally in Niš on Thursday, citing security concerns.
Miloš Vučević, Prime Minister in resignation and SNS leader, said the event, scheduled several days ago to hear citizens’ concerns, was called off to avoid potential violence.
“Some people have taken it upon themselves to prevent others from expressing different opinions,” Vučević said. “Those who resort to violence will be held politically and criminally accountable.”
Vučević added that he and Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabić decided not to attend to avoid risking attendees’ and police officers’ safety.
“We could have come, but we didn’t want to endanger anyone’s safety,” Vučević said, promising a “magnificent gathering” in the future.
Brnabić also expressed condolences to the family of Vukašin Crnčević, the 16th victim of the Novi Sad canopy collapse.