The leader of the opposition Go Change (Kreni Promeni) movement Savo Manojlovic was arrested on Wednesday during a protest against the demolition of a historic bridge in central Belgrade. Pročitaj više

The demolition of the Savski bridge linking the historic center of the Serbian capital to post-WW 2 New Belgrade was supposed to have been started a few weeks earlier but was delayed by protests. The demolition contract was awarded to the Millenium Team company which is alleged to have close ties to the Serbian regime. Opposition officials have claimed that the demolition of the bridge has to do with Belgrade Waterfront housing complex, a major project launched by the authorities. The bridge was built by Nazi German forces in WW 2 and was mined to be destroyed to allow the Germans to escape but the explosives were defused by a local teacher who lived near the bridge.

Live footage showed Manojlovic and fellow City Assembly Councilor Aleksandar Jovanovic were behind the police cordon when they were pushed to the ground and handcuffed before being carried down from the bridge.

Internal Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic told the pro-government K1 TV that Manojlovic was arrested for using force against the police and breaking through the cordon.

The crowd gathered at the bridge on Wednesday following announcements that the tram rails and asphalt hardtop would be removed.

Police cordons in riot gear are deployed on both sides of the bridge.

Reporters said that protesters were moving traffic barriers to block access to the Belgrade Waterfront complex.