Serbia: Opposition march planned June 29

Event

The "#1od5miliona" opposition movement is planning to march in Belgrade on Saturday, June 29. Participants will gather at 19:00 (local time) at the Terazijske fountain and then march to the Radio Televizija Srbije office on Takovska 10. The event is likely to be well attended as several thousand people attended a similar demonstration on Saturday, June 22.

While previous demonstrations have generally been held without major incident, heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are to be anticipated in the vicinity of the march. Clashes between protesters and police cannot be ruled out.

Context

The protest movement, under the slogan "#1od5miliona" (#1of5million), began after political opposition leader Borko Stefanović was assaulted by a group of unidentified individuals in November 2018. The demonstrations, ongoing since December 8, have been organized to denounce perceived political abuses of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party and the lack of media freedom in the country, and to demand the resignation of President Vučić.

Advice

Individuals in Belgrade are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, anticipate localized traffic disruptions and a heightened security presence near demonstration sites, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.