Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Daczić informed, citing police data, that in Saturday's protest in Belgrade against the exploitation of lithium took part from 24 to 27 thousand people. Some of the protesters blocked the tracks at two of the capital's railway stations.
– I'm here because I'm tired of the lies and manipulation of the authorities. Three years ago I protested against the same thing and then we were promised that the matter was over. Today I have to go out on the streets once again because we were lied to again – explained 35-year-old Milos.
– I don't believe in the assurances that anyone will take care of our health, our country, the environment. They tell us that the whole country will get rich, but only the elites will get rich, and the nation will suffer the consequences as usual – 25-year-old Jovana emphasized in an interview with PAP.
Serbia. President attacks protesters
– This is a serious breach of public order – said the Serbian Interior Minister on the night from Saturday to Sunday and announced being held accountable penal action against participants in the blockades.
Saturday's protest was organized on the day of the deadline 40-day deadline designated for the government to adopt a law on permanent prohibition of geological research and exploitation of lithium and boron in Serbia.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic addressed the protesters on Sunday, accusing them of participating in “hybrid” war supported by the West. He also announced “taking decisive legal steps” against those who the day before blocked rail and road traffic in the capital.
Vučić said during the conference that although the main protest took place in a democratic waythe blocking of traffic on the highway was a manifestation of “minority terror over the majority”. – It is part of a hybrid approach aimed at overthrow my government – he added.
Serbia. Tens of thousands of protesters in central Belgrade
On Saturday we reported on the statement of the President of Serbia, in which he announced that he received information from the Russiansthat preparations are being made in Serbia riotthe aim of which is to achieve takeover by force.
– Russian services informed me about a planned coup in Serbia – said Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić. – Those who want to achieve some goals by force, they make a mistake. Serbia is developing and no one can stop it, he added.
Saturday's protest in Belgrade was preceded by a series of demonstrations organized for over two weeks in many cities in Serbia. They were caused by the government's decision on the restoration of the Jadar projectaccording to which the international group will start exploiting Serbian lithium deposits Concern Rio Tinto. The project was suspended in early 2022 after massive public protests.
On July 19, a memorandum of understanding was signed in Belgrade between EU and Serbia on a strategic partnership for sustainable raw materials, battery production chains and electric vehicles. Vučić announced that Serbia could start mining the metal in 2028.
Stay up to date and become one of over 200 thousand followers of our fanpage – like Interia Events on Facebook and comment on our articles there!