Serbia: Pro-government rally in Belgrade April 19 /update 10

Event

President Aleksander Vučić and the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) are planning to hold a major rally in Belgrade on Friday, April 19. The rally is expected to start at 18:00 (local time), although the exact location has not been announced as of Wednesday, April 17.

Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are to be expected around the demonstration site. Opposition supporters may also stage counterdemonstrations on Friday.

Context

Notably, thousands of people participated in anti-government demonstrations in Belgrade on April 13. The protest movement, noted by 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 Serbia 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.