Serbia Protesters Mark Controversial Savamala Demolitions

Protesters in the Serbian capital led by the campaign group "Let's not drown Belgrade" marched from the Savamala district to the Belgrade city assembly to mark the third anniversary of the April 2016 demolitions, when bulldozers and masked men tore down buildings in the riverside district by night.

On the night between April 24 and 25 in 2016, masked men armed with baseball bats and equipped with diggers demolished buildings in Hercegovacka Street, when public attention was occupied by the counting of votes from the previous day's parliamentary elections.

The demolitions sparked large protests in May 2016, demanding the resignation of city chiefs. The largest protests in June that year drew an estimated 25,000 people.

Serbia's First Basic Prosecutor's Office told BIRN on Tuesday that police have not replied to several calls to accelerate their investigation into the demolition work, intended to clear space for the redevelopment of the riverside area of the city.

Citizens start gathering for the protest around 6pm. Photo: BIRN.

A residential building, part of the Belgrade Waterfront construction project, looms in the background in Savamala. Photo: BIRN.

Citizens carry flags with rainbow colors and one that bears the symbol of the protest movement, a yellow duck. Photo: BIRN

Before the start of the protest. Photo: BIRN.

Protester carries a flag with the initials of the campaign group "Let's not drown Belgrade". Photo: BIRN.