Belgrade is on edge as demonstrators have barricaded the headquarters of Serbia’s public broadcaster, RTS, in what officials are calling a direct assault on press freedom. Adding to the chaos, a police officer suffered serious injuries during Monday night’s unrest.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić wasted no time calling out the so-called “peaceful” protesters, mocking their claims while posting a photo alongside the wounded officer.
The blockade, which began Monday evening, continues into Tuesday, with plans to last until 9 p.m. Protesters have sealed off two entrances to the RTS building, allowing employees to leave but preventing anyone from entering. Despite the disruption, RTS has kept its programming on air.
In a statement, the broadcaster pushed back against the demonstrators’ rhetoric. “This blockade completely contradicts their previous claims of supporting free institutions,” RTS asserted.
By Tuesday morning, the scene remained calm—at least on the surface. Protesters continued chanting, “No one is tired, RTS is under blockade!” But the previous night’s violence told a different story. When police attempted to pass through a crowd, plainclothes individuals launched an attack. Officers retaliated, and one policeman sustained severe injuries, according to Serbia’s Interior Ministry.
Minister of Information and Telecommunications Dejan Ristić urged dialogue, echoing President Vučić’s stance. The president, meanwhile, made it clear that those responsible for the violence would be held accountable. “They think they have a free pass,” he stated. “They don’t. There will be consequences.”
Authorities have opted not to intervene—unless protesters attempt to storm state buildings or launch further attacks on police.
Vučić, however, sees a much larger scheme at play. He has repeatedly claimed that foreign interests are fueling the unrest, pouring billions into what he calls a “Color Revolution” aimed at weakening Serbia’s position on Kosovo and Bosnia’s Serb Republic.
“We will safeguard Serbia’s freedom, independence, and sovereignty,” he declared. “Kosovo and Metohija will remain part of Serbia, and we won’t allow them to dismantle the Republika Srpska of Bosnia as they’ve planned.”
As the demonstrations drag on, the stakes are rising. With tensions mounting and both sides refusing to back down, the question remains—how far will this go?
