A man sustained severe injuries on Wednesday in an incident involving gunfire near the Serbian parliament building, close to a tent set up by supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic. Reports from local media and officials indicated that one individual was apprehended, and law enforcement promptly secured the area. President Vucic, addressing a government function at that time, mentioned the necessity to depart early due to what he described as a “terrorist act” occurring outside the Serbian assembly building.
The shooting took place in a park situated between the parliament and Vucic’s office, where his supporters had established tents to prevent protesters from approaching the premises. Notably, there was no demonstration happening at the time of the incident. According to Telegraf.rs, a 70-year-old man allegedly shot a 57-year-old man in the leg and discharged a gas canister within the tent camp, resulting in a minor fire that was swiftly extinguished. Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar informed the press that the wounded man sustained a serious injury necessitating urgent surgical intervention.
Various online videos, including those shared by the NOVA media outlet, depicted armed security personnel approaching one of the tents, an individual limping away from the scene, and smoke emerging from the fire. Another video, posted on X and verified by Reuters, displayed a man lying on the ground with hands restrained behind his back, surrounded by law enforcement officers. The authenticity of these videos could not be independently verified by India Today.
Although local police refrained from providing detailed comments, an officer present at the scene reportedly stated, “There is no longer any imminent danger.” This incident occurs against the backdrop of prolonged street protests targeting President Vucic, sparked by the tragic collapse of a train station awning in Novi Sad last November, resulting in the loss of 16 lives. Many demonstrators attribute the tragedy to governmental negligence and corruption.