Two youths, photographer beaten at Serbian ruling party gathering

N1

Two young men ended up in hospital after an altercation with members of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) while a photographer covering the event had his equipment stolen after being beaten in the town of Sabac on Monday.

The two young men were reported to have been mistaken for others who were shouting offensive slogans at the rally while freelance photographer Andrija Vukelic, who has been covering the protests over the past few days, was beaten and had his equipment stolen.

The young men argued with SNS members who were protesting in front of the town prosecutor’s office demanding action against a fellow party member who assaulted people protesting against the adopting of two controversial laws. The SNS party member was on an excavator being driven into the crowd. The man he clashed with was arrested.

Monday’s incident took place just off the square where the SNS was holding its gathering.

The opposition cancelled its gathering in Sabac and called supporters to stay away from the SNS rally.