Incident at Supporters’ Camp in Belgrade
BELGRADE, Serbia – A shooting and a fire at a camp for supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic left one person injured on Wednesday. Vucic labeled the episode as a “terrorist attack.”
The fire erupted in a tent outside the Serbian parliament early that morning. These tents had been erected in March, seemingly as a protective measure against ongoing anti-government protests that have been stirring unrest in Serbia for several months, representing a significant challenge to Vucic’s administration.
Authorities reported the arrest of a 70-year-old man who allegedly fired shots at one of the tents, igniting the fire. He now faces charges of attempted murder and illegal possession of a weapon, creating a public safety risk.
The camp, often referred to as “Kashiland,” consists of white tents clustered throughout a park and in public squares nearby the parliament and presidential palace.
Videos of the incident revealed a series of loud gunfire-like sounds before a fire broke out within the tent. Nearby police officers quickly took cover, weapons drawn, instructing individuals to evacuate the area.
Vucic condemned the shooting, calling it a “terrible terrorist attack” during an impromptu press conference. He suggested that it was a politically motivated act, saying, “this is a political decision on my part.” He indicated that the shooter had aimed to create public danger and emphasized that pro-government media hinted at opposition culpability in the shooting.
In his remarks, Vucic showed video evidence of the suspect admitting during his arrest that he wished for police to kill him, expressing frustration with the tents in the city.
While acknowledging that the anti-government protests have been mostly peaceful, he noted that he had long anticipated violent incidents, asserting, “It was only a matter of time before something like this happened” and mentioned “countless calls for this (shooting).”
The Health Minister, Zlatibor Roncar, stated that one individual suffered serious injuries from the shooting but did not provide further details.
This incident occurs just before a planned rally on November 1, commemorating the anniversary of a tragic canopy collapse that incited widespread youth protests against Vucic’s administration.
A substantial gathering is also set for Novi Sad, marking the collapse that resulted in the deaths of 16 people in November last year, linked to negligent construction practices.
In recent weeks, authorities have been accused of intimidating demonstrators, with reports of arbitrary arrests and instances of police violence. Young protesters in Serbia are actively calling for Vucic to initiate early parliamentary elections, though he has yet to entertain the idea.
