**Serbian President‘s Rally Turns Violent in Belgrade**
A three-day political rally, “We Won’t Give Up Serbia,” has been taking place in front of the National Assembly building in Belgrade. The event is seen as a demonstration of support for Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his policies.
However, the rally has been marred by violence and aggression against journalists. One such incident occurred on April 12 when Zoran Strika, a deputy editor at Novi Sad’s Radio 021, was attacked while reporting on the rally in Novi Sad. As he recorded two young men on the Danube quay who were harassing a citizen, they turned on him. The attackers grabbed the citizen’s phone and threw it into the river. When Strika attempted to help the injured man by lending him his own phone, three masked individuals with hoods approached and stole both phones before fleeing.
**Journalists Under Attack**
The attack on Zoran Strika is just one example of the growing aggression against journalists in Serbia. As tensions rise ahead of the rally, media outlets are being targeted for reporting on sensitive topics. In another incident, an Al Jazeera reporter was forbidden from filming the rally from a building’s terrace, further highlighting the restrictions on press freedom.
**Who Organized the Rally?**
The true organizer of the rally remains unclear, with Transparency Serbia (TS) stating that there is no official confirmation of who is behind the event. This lack of transparency raises questions about the motivations and agendas of those involved in the rally.
As tensions continue to rise in Belgrade, it’s clear that the “We Won’t Give Up Serbia” rally has become a focal point for conflicting views on politics and media freedom.