05
Feb 2025
16:33 UTC
Serbia Tactical (UPDATE): Anti-government protests slated in Belgrade on February 6-7; avoid nonessential travel
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that anti-government protests are scheduled in Belgrade on February 6 and 7.
- The protests are part of the ongoing nationwide student-led demonstrations demanding government accountability for the November 2024 roof collapse at the Novi Sad train station.
- Members of the informal community of educators from Belgrade elementary schools have announced a rally in front of the Ministry of Education in Belgrade at 13:00 (local time) on February 6.
Source: Danas
- Members of the informal community of educators from Belgrade elementary schools have announced a rally in front of the Ministry of Education in Belgrade at 13:00 (local time) on February 6.
Source: Danas
- On February 7, lawyers are set to protest in front of the Radio televizije Srbije (RTS) building in Belgrade at 16:30.
- The lawyers are calling for the resignation of the Minister of Justice, Maja Popovic, and other key members of the judiciary.
Source: N1
- On February 7, lawyers are set to protest in front of the Radio televizije Srbije (RTS) building in Belgrade at 16:30.
- The lawyers are calling for the resignation of the Minister of Justice, Maja Popovic, and other key members of the judiciary.
Source: N1
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent and social media traction, the protests in Belgrade are likely to see turnouts ranging from the high hundreds to low thousands each. Other protests are also likely to continue nationwide, particularly in urban centers such as Novi Sad.
- Given heightened sentiments over the protest issue, coupled with precedent, the protests carry an elevated potential for unrest in the form of attacks on the protesters by pro-government actors and disgruntled commuters. Such attacks may include vehicle rammings – especially if demonstrators hold blockades. Moreover, the potential for counter-protests by pro-government groups cannot be ruled out. The risk of unrest is expected to remain especially heightened in case of such counterprotests. As such, there is also an elevated potential for clashes between protesters, potential counter-protesters, and the police.
- Given these factors, authorities are expected to deploy a bolstered security presence near the protest locations in Belgrade to monitor proceedings. Should unrest escalate, authorities are likely to deploy forcible crowd dispersal measures, including conducting arrests.
- Severe disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement, including road closures and traffic diversions should be anticipated near the RTS building and the Ministry of Education building in Belgrade during the slated protest.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Belgrade on February 6-7 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near the slated protest locations due to the elevated potential for unrest.
- Allot for associated disruptions to travel in the vicinity of the protest locations during the slated timings.
COUNTRY RISK LEVEL
Low
AFFECTED AREA
Belgrade, Serbia
INCIDENT RISK LEVEL
High
STRENGTH OF SOURCE
Credible
Current Situation
- Reports indicate that anti-government protests are scheduled in Belgrade on February 6 and 7.
- The protests are part of the ongoing nationwide student-led demonstrations demanding government accountability for the November 2024 roof collapse at the Novi Sad train station.
- Members of the informal community of educators from Belgrade elementary schools have announced a rally in front of the Ministry of Education in Belgrade at 13:00 (local time) on February 6.
Source: Danas
- Members of the informal community of educators from Belgrade elementary schools have announced a rally in front of the Ministry of Education in Belgrade at 13:00 (local time) on February 6.
Source: Danas
- On February 7, lawyers are set to protest in front of the Radio televizije Srbije (RTS) building in Belgrade at 16:30.
- The lawyers are calling for the resignation of the Minister of Justice, Maja Popovic, and other key members of the judiciary.
Source: N1
- On February 7, lawyers are set to protest in front of the Radio televizije Srbije (RTS) building in Belgrade at 16:30.
- The lawyers are calling for the resignation of the Minister of Justice, Maja Popovic, and other key members of the judiciary.
Source: N1
Assessments & Forecast
- Based on precedent and social media traction, the protests in Belgrade are likely to see turnouts ranging from the high hundreds to low thousands each. Other protests are also likely to continue nationwide, particularly in urban centers such as Novi Sad.
- Given heightened sentiments over the protest issue, coupled with precedent, the protests carry an elevated potential for unrest in the form of attacks on the protesters by pro-government actors and disgruntled commuters. Such attacks may include vehicle rammings – especially if demonstrators hold blockades. Moreover, the potential for counter-protests by pro-government groups cannot be ruled out. The risk of unrest is expected to remain especially heightened in case of such counterprotests. As such, there is also an elevated potential for clashes between protesters, potential counter-protesters, and the police.
- Given these factors, authorities are expected to deploy a bolstered security presence near the protest locations in Belgrade to monitor proceedings. Should unrest escalate, authorities are likely to deploy forcible crowd dispersal measures, including conducting arrests.
- Severe disruptions to pedestrian and vehicular movement, including road closures and traffic diversions should be anticipated near the RTS building and the Ministry of Education building in Belgrade during the slated protest.
Recommendations
- Those operating or residing in Belgrade on February 6-7 are advised to avoid nonessential travel near the slated protest locations due to the elevated potential for unrest.
- Allot for associated disruptions to travel in the vicinity of the protest locations during the slated timings.