Serbian police fire tear gas at election protesters in Belgrade as hundreds of demonstrators threaten to storm city hall over vote tampering fears
- Protesters pelt the city hall of the Serbian capital with eggs and stones
- Serbia's populist authorities insist last weekend's vote was fair and not rigged
Police in Serbia fired tear gas on Sunday to prevent hundreds of opposition supporters from entering the capital's city council building.
The demonstrators had gathered to protest what election observers said were widespread voting irregularities during last weekend's general election.
The country's populist authorities have denied any election rigging and described elections for parliament and local offices as fair.
President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that these claims were blatant “lies” promoted by the political opposition.
Mr Vucic also suggested the unrest had been generated from abroad.
Riot police in Serbia fire tear gas to disperse protesters near Belgrade's town hall
Pictured: Police officers take position as opposition supporters try to storm the Belgrade mayor's office
Demonstrators gathered to protest what election observers said were widespread voting irregularities during last weekend's general election
Police corner a protester on the ground outside city hall
A male opposition supporter is arrested by police
Serbian populist authorities have denied election rigging and described elections for parliament and local offices as fair
In the photo: A protester uses a metal object against police officers at the entrance to the Belgrade City Hall
Protesters outside the Serbian capital's council building wave national flags during a demonstration against irregularities in last week's elections
President Aleksandar Vucic called the protesters “criminals” and suggested the unrest had been caused from abroad
Addressing the nation at the protest outside Belgrade City Hall, he called protesters “criminals” who would fail to destabilize the state and said: “This is not a revolution.”
“They will not succeed,” Mr. Vucic said.
“We are doing our best with our calm and mild response not to hurt protesters” who came to the event to protest peacefully.
Shielded riot police barricaded themselves inside Belgrade City Hall and fired tear gas as hundreds of opposition protesters smashed the windows of the entrance.
The demonstrators shouted 'Open the door' and 'Thieves'. They also pelted the building with eggs.
Some chanted “Vucic is Putin,” comparing the Serbian president to the Russian leader.
Later, police cleared the crowd from the downtown area and made several arrests.
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
Pictured: Protesters throw stones at Serbia's city council building amid unrest after last weekend's elections
Shielded riot police barricade themselves in Belgrade City Hall
Pictured: Protesters gathered outside Belgrade City Hall after the main opposition Serbia Against Violence alliance said it had been robbed of a victory and said it would not recognize the election outcome
The results of the December 17 elections showed a victory for Mr Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party in both the parliamentary and municipal elections in Belgrade.
The party's main opponent, the Serbian Counter-Violence Alliance, said the party had been robbed of a victory, especially in Belgrade.
The vote has caused political tensions in the restive Balkan country, which seeks close ties with Russia but also membership of the European Union.
In a letter to EU institutions, officials and member states, Serbia against violence said it would not recognize the outcome of the election.
The alliance called on the EU to do the same and launch an investigation