• Protests in Serbia have turned violent as demonstrators clash with police and government supporters.
• Protesters demand accountability for a deadly train station roof collapse linked to corruption.
• There have been widespread reports of police brutality and excessive force used against demonstrators.
• Calls for early elections intensify as President Vucic faces mounting political pressure.
• Opposition leaders criticize the government's handling of protests, suggesting motives of suppression.

The anti-government protests in Serbia have markedly escalated in violence, as clashes broke out among rival groups and between protesters and police. Demonstrations erupted in reaction to the collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad last November, which killed 16 people and ignited widespread allegations of government corruption. On Thursday, protesters vandalized the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), chanting phrases reflecting their desire for President Aleksandar Vucic's exit from power, with calls for early elections intensifying amidst the unrest, according to Al Jazeera and TRT Global.

The situation deteriorated further, with heavy police deployments reported as officers engaged in crowd control measures using tear gas to disperse protesters in Belgrade and Novi Sad. Accusations of police brutality surfaced as imagery depicted officers utilizing excessive force against demonstrators. Interior Minister Ivica Dacic noted that approximately 80 civilians and 42 police officers sustained injuries during the confrontations, highlighting a breakdown in order amid the escalating protests, as reported by Reuters and Le Monde.

Vucic's response indicated a firm stance against the protests, viewing them as a threat to state security. The president claimed that the violence was provoked by supporters of the protests rather than government supporters and indicated potential further crackdowns, stating, “There will be more arrests,” according to India Times and Le Monde.

Demonstrators, primarily students, have voiced their frustration not only against the government’s inaction over the tragic station collapse but also against a perceived pattern of repression affecting civil liberties and political dissent. “These are no longer peaceful student protests but people who want to provoke violence,” Dacic stated, underscoring the government’s narrative that positions the protests within a framework of potential civil disorder, as noted by Reuters and TRT Global.

As protests continue across Serbia, opposition leaders are calling for investigations into police conduct during the protests and heavy criticism is directed towards the government for its handling of dissent. This ongoing unrest poses a considerable challenge to Vucic’s authority, raising serious concerns regarding the political landscape as demands for accountability persist, according to Al Jazeera and Le Monde.