📌 Key Facts

• Riot Police Clash with Protesters: In Novi Sad, riot police employed tear gas and charged at peaceful demonstrators who were rallying for free elections and justice. This violent response highlights the tense situation as protesters, largely university students, demanded accountability from the government.
• Background of the Protests: The ongoing protests were initially sparked by a tragic railway accident in which 16 people died, leading to public outrage over government negligence and corruption. This has fueled widespread calls for reform and political change.
• Government's Reaction: President Alexandar Vucic has dismissed the protesters as 'cowards' and has maintained a hardline stance, denying calls for early elections while also attempting to deflect blame onto foreign interference.
• Censorship and University Autonomy: The protests have centered around issues of media freedom and the autonomy of educational institutions, with university officials being replaced by Vucic's loyalists amidst a larger crackdown on dissent.
• International Criticism: The increased violence against protesters and the government's authoritarian measures have drawn international condemnation, particularly as the protests continue to call for political reform and justice for victims of state negligence.

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