12 May 2020 | 01:13 PM UTC
Serbia: Hunger strikes reported in Belgrade May 10-11
Opposition party and supporters of ruling party stage rival hunger strikes in Belgrade May 10-11; additional protests expected over the near term
Event
Members of the ruling party, Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), and opposition figures from the right-wing Dveri movement have staged hunger strikes and related protests in front of the National Assembly in Belgrade on Sunday, May 10, and Monday, May 11. The incident began after the opposition, including their leader Bosko Obradovic, organized a hunger strike on Sunday. The group states that parliamentary elections, initially scheduled for Sunday, April 26, and postponed to Sunday, June 21, should be held in autumn due to the ongoing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. In response, two SNS members began a hunger strike and protest in front of the National Assembly to denounce Bosko Obradovic's behavior, deemed "fascist" and "intolerant."
No major incident has been reported during the protests, although riot police intervened to disperse the crowd. President Aleksandar Vucic reacted to the incident on May 11, and asked all sides to stop their hunger strikes.
Advice
Individuals in Belgrade are advised to monitor the situation, avoid all protests due to the risk of violence, and adhere to any instructions issued by local authorities.
