Opposition outdoor protest during curfew in Belgrade; brief fuss among two sides

Some Belgraders joined the opposition leaders in sitting on the stairs leading to the central Parliament's entry at 6 pm, the time when daily curfew started.

Announcing the protest, the opposition called on people to stay at home.

 The head of the Democratic Party (DS) Zoran Lutovac said earlier on Thursday that the protest was motivated by the fact that not all the people were equal under the Constitution.

"We'll protest to show that the law should be equally valid for all. If the curfew (introduced to prevent the spreading of coronavirus) starts at 6 pm, it should be binding for all including the hooligans and (the ruling) Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) activists and those who work on construction site (central Belgrade area) Dorcol against the residents' will," Lutovac told a radio programme.

He added that President Aleksandar Vucic had violated the Government's measures in fighting the epidemic several times.

"We told people not to come. We are here to symbolically show how things should not be done. Those who should serve as an example, don't do that. And we're warning them about it in this way," Lutovac said.

 Sergej Trifunovic, a famous actor and the leader of the Movement of Free Citizens, said that "we protest against madness, totalitarianism,

"You saw (soccer) supporters' groups helped by SNS officials lightening torches… I won't comment on that madness, disorientation and the old practice of insisting on conflict, because they can only live in conflict," he said, adding  that "you will see more of us, you won't get rid of us that easy."

A small incident occurred during the address of Dragan Djilas, an opposition leader, a usual target by the regime, its supporters and media under the authorities' control.

A group of older people came with Serbia’s flags, chanting insults to Djilas. There was a commotion between the two groups and exchange of verbal abuses, but an N1 reporter did not see any physical conflict.

 Trifunovic calmed down the situation, and the pro-regime people left soon.

After applauding to the medical staff at 8 pm and whistling in protest against the regime at 8:05, the opposition leaders and their supporters left too.

The police did not intervene despite the curfew, and the N1 reporter saw only two communal policewomen who politely asked people to respect the protective measures.

The main opposition parties that protested had said they would boycott the general elections scheduled for April 26 but postponed due to the pandemic.

Vucic announced on Wednesday he would meet with a part of the opposition, but Lutovac said he would go only if the talks would be about the pandemic and not about the elections.

A new date hasn't been set yet, and it has been agreed that all political activities will cease during the state of emergency.  Still, the opposition and independent intellectuals have been warning that Vucic and his SNS have conducted the election campaign all the time, using the situation with pandemic as well.

People across Serbia started an anti-regime 'Noise against Dictatorship' protest starting at 8:05 pm from the windows and balconies by banging pots, whistling and playing loud music.

SNS responded after three nights by lightening torches on high building roofs, cheering Vucic and booing an opposition leader.