Fact Check: Six police officers injured in violent clashes with anti-government protesters in Belgrade
What We Know
On June 28, 2025, a significant protest occurred in Belgrade, Serbia, where tens of thousands of demonstrators rallied against President Aleksandar Vucic, demanding early parliamentary elections. The protest, which was largely led by university students, was part of ongoing anti-government demonstrations that have persisted for nearly eight months, primarily fueled by allegations of corruption and negligence in governance (AP News, Reuters).
During the protest, clashes broke out between the demonstrators and riot police. Reports indicate that six police officers were injured during these confrontations, with some sources noting that an unknown number of civilians were also hurt (AP News, BBC). The police responded with tear gas and other crowd control measures, and dozens of protesters were detained (Al Jazeera, DW).
Analysis
The claim that "six police officers were injured in violent clashes with anti-government protesters in Belgrade" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Both the Associated Press and Reuters reported that six police officers sustained injuries during the clashes, confirming the accuracy of the claim (AP News, Reuters).
The context surrounding these events is critical. The protests have been characterized by significant public discontent with the government's handling of corruption and public safety, particularly following a tragic incident in which a collapsed railway station roof killed 16 people. This backdrop of unrest has led to heightened tensions between protesters and law enforcement (BBC, Al Jazeera).
The reliability of the sources reporting this information is high. The Associated Press, Reuters, and BBC are established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. They provide corroborating accounts of the events, which adds to the credibility of the claim.
Conclusion
The claim that six police officers were injured during violent clashes with anti-government protesters in Belgrade is True. This conclusion is supported by multiple reliable news sources that report on the events of the protest and the resulting injuries among law enforcement personnel.
Sources
- Dozens of protesters detained during clashes with riot police in Serbia
- Serbia's police clashes with anti-government protesters
- Serbia police clash with protesters calling for early election
- Serbian police arrest dozens in clashes with anti-government protesters
- Serbia: Police clash with anti-government demonstrators
