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Police in Serbia Detain Nearly 40 People as Opposition Plans More Protests

by Associated Press

   BELGRADE, Serbia --

   Serbian police said Monday they have detained at least 38 people who
   took part in a protest against reported widespread irregularities
   during a recent general ballot that declared the governing populists as
   winners of the parliamentary and local councils' elections.

   Claiming election fraud, particularly in the capital, Belgrade,
   opposition group Serbia Against Violence has been staging protests
   since the Dec.17 elections while some politicians began a hunger
   strike. On Sunday evening, hundreds of protesters tried to enter
   Belgarde's city council, breaking windows, before riot police pushed
   them back using tear gas, pepper spray and batons.

   Senior police official Ivica Ivkovic told reporters those detained are
   facing charges of inciting violent change of constitutional order --in
   reference to attempting to overthrow the government -- and violent
   behavior. He added that eight officers were injured, several seriously.

   The opposition said police beat up some of its supporters.

   With more protests planned for later on Monday, police warned they
   would not allow roads or bridges to be blocked in the capital.

   Police "are ready and capable of countering any acts of violence with
   determination," Ivkovic said.

   The country's Serbian Progressive Party has denied rigging the vote and
   described the elections as fair despite criticism from international
   monitors and local election observers.

   President Aleksandar Vucic described Sunday's protests as an attempt to
   overthrow the government with help from abroad, without specifying what
   he meant. Serbia's Prime Minister Ana Brnabic thanked Russia late
   Sunday for tipping Serbia in advance of violent protests against
   election results.

   Serbia is formally seeking membership in the European Union but the
   Balkan nation has maintained close ties with Moscow and has refused to
   join Western sanctions imposed on Russia over the aggression on
   Ukraine.

   Vucic's party claimed victory in both the parliamentary and Belgrade
   city ballots elections. Serbia Against Violence, the ruling party's
   main contender, said it was robbed of a win, especially in Belgrade.

   Representatives of several international rights watchdogs observing the
   elections reported multiple irregularities during the vote, including
   cases of bought votes and ballot-box stuffing. They also noted unjust
   conditions for opposition candidates due to media bias, abuse of public
   resources by the ruling party, and Vucic dominating the ruling party's
   campaign and media time allocated for candidates despite not taking
   part in the elections himself.

   Serbia Against Violence said Thursday in a letter sent to EU
   institutions, officials and member nations that it would not recognize
   the elections' outcome. The alliance called on the EU to do the same
   and to initiate an investigation into the results.