In Pictures

In Pictures: Belgrade protest over COVID-19 curfew turns violent

Police clashed with protesters angry over planned return of a weekend lockdown due to a spike in new coronavirus cases.

Protesters gather outside Serbia''s National Assembly building in Belgrade on July 8, 2020 against a weekend curfew announced to combat a resurgence of COVID-19 infections despite Serbia''s president sa — Protesters gather outside Serbia's National Assembly building in Belgrade against a weekend curfew announced to combat a resurgence of COVID-19 infections. [Andrej Isakovic/AFP]

Serbia’s capital, Belgrade, has been rocked by protests for a second straight day as police clashed with opposition supporters angry over the planned return of a weekend lockdown due to a spike in new coronavirus cases.

Critics blame the increase on the government, which they accuse of rapidly lifting initial restrictions before an election in June, and say people should not have to pay the price for another lockdown.

Although President Aleksandar Vucic said on Wednesday the weekend curfew was likely to be scrapped, thousands of people gathered in front of the parliament building to protest.

Clouds of tear gas and smoke filled Belgrade’s city centre in chaotic scenes that mirrored violence the night before.

“The government only seeks to protect its own interests, the people are collateral damage,” said Jelina Jankovic, a 53-year-old who attended the rally, which brought together citizens from the left to the far right.

Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) won the June poll by a landslide in a vote boycotted by the main opposition.

Since then, coronavirus infections have shot up to more than 300 cases a day, overwhelming hospitals.

The government has reported nearly 17,000 infections and 330 deaths.

“We’ve had enough of the manipulating of the data of COVID-19,” said another protester Danijela Ognjenovic, referring to accusations that authorities are under-reporting the death toll.

Protestors clash with police in Belgrade on July 8, 2020 as violence erupts against a weekend curfew announced to combat a resurgence of COVID-19 infections despite Serbia''s President Aleksandar Vucic — Protesters gathered despite President Aleksandar Vucic saying that the weekend curfew is likely to be scrapped. [Oliver Bunic/AFP]

Protesters clash with police in front of Serbia''s National Assembly building in Belgrade on July 8, 2020 during a demonstration against a weekend curfew announced to combat a resurgence of COVID-19 in — Protesters focused their anger on the president, who critics accuse of inviting a second wave of coronavirus infections by rapidly lifting initial lockdown measures before an election in June. [Andrej Isakovic/AFP]

Protesters are surrounded by tear gas as they clash with riot police outside Serbia''s National Assembly building in Belgrade on July 8, 2020, during a demonstration against a weekend curfew announced — Protesters are surrounded by tear gas as they clash with riot police outside Serbia's National Assembly building in Belgrade. [Andrej Isakovic/AFP]

People tend to an injured man during a protest in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Police have fired tear gas at protesters in Serbia''s capital during the second day of demonstrations agains — People tend to an injured protester during the protest. [Marko Drobnjakovic/AP Photo]

Demonstrators clash with police officers during an anti-government rally, amid the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in front of the parliament building in Belgrade, Serbia, July 8, 2020. — Interior Minister Nebojsa Stefanovic said 10 policemen have been injured. He did not say how many demonstrators have been hurt. [Marko Djurica/Reuters]

Serbian riot police clashes with protesters in Belgrade, Serbia, Wednesday, July 8, 2020. Serbia''s president Aleksandar Vucic backtracked Wednesday on his plans to reinstate a coronavirus lockdown in — Serbian riot police clash with protesters. Serbia, a country of seven million, has reported 17,076 COVID-19 cases and 341 deaths. Health authorities say hospitals are running at full capacity and staff are exhausted. [Darko Vojinovic/AP Photo]