“Serbia Against Violence Protests Demand Resignation of Officials and Media Ban”

The current rally was the third major Serbia Against Violence protest in recent weeks. Protesters take to the streets calling for the resignation of senior officials, in particular the interior minister and the head of the intelligence service.

The demonstrators are also demanding that the government revoke the broadcasting licenses of TV channels that promote violence and ban pro-government newspapers that stir up tensions by targeting political dissidents.

Members of the pro-European opposition walked out of a special session of parliament on May 19, accusing the ruling party and its allies of seeking to “silence the rally” rather than address the issues raised by the demonstrators.

Democratic Party President Zoran Lutovac told reporters that the political force intends to join the protesters.

Meanwhile, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called the protests a political “stunt” and Prime Minister Ana Brnabic also accused “foreign intelligence services” of fomenting unrest after the shooting to destabilize Serbia.

In addition, after the shootings, Vučić promised to “disarm” Serbia with an ambitious plan that would allow fighting legal and illegal trafficking in firearms.

Serbia has the highest gun ownership rate in Europe, with approximately 39 out of 100 people owning a firearm, according to data from the Small Arms Survey.