Man Injured in Shooting Outside Serbian Parliament Amid Protests

A shooting incident outside the Serbian Parliament in Belgrade on Wednesday left a man with serious injuries. The altercation occurred near a tent set up by supporters of Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic. Initial reports indicate that one individual has been detained, while police secured the area following the incident.

During a government event, President Vucic abruptly left after describing the situation as a “terrorist act that has just happened in front of the Serbian assembly building.” The shooting unfolded in a park situated between the parliament and Vucic’s office, where his supporters have constructed tents to deter protesters from approaching the buildings. Notably, there were no protests taking place at the time of the incident.

Witness accounts and video footage indicate that chaos ensued when armed security personnel confronted individuals near the tents. A man was seen hobbling away just before several shots were fired, followed by a fire igniting within one of the tents. This information was corroborated by a video circulated by the NOVA media outlet, which Reuters verified.

Reports indicate that a 70-year-old man shot a 57-year-old man in the leg and subsequently fired a gas canister into the tent area, according to Telegraf.rs. Health Minister Zlatibor Loncar informed reporters that the injured man sustained serious wounds and would require urgent surgery.

In the aftermath of the shooting, a video shared on social media platform X showed a man lying on the ground, surrounded by police officers and with his hands behind his back. Local emergency services, including fire engines, were observed at the scene. While local police did not provide official comments, one officer assured bystanders, “there is no danger anymore.”

This incident occurs amid ongoing unrest in Serbia, where significant street protests have been taking place for over a year. The protests were initially ignited by the collapse of a train station awning in Novi Sad last November, resulting in the deaths of 16 individuals. Many citizens attribute this tragedy to government neglect and corruption.

The recent shooting incident adds another layer of tension to an already volatile political landscape in Serbia, raising concerns among citizens and officials alike about public safety and the state of governance. The situation remains under investigation as authorities seek to determine the full circumstances surrounding the shooting and the individuals involved.