Serbian police detained 37 people during overnight unrest outside the National Assembly in Belgrade, where pro- and anti-government demonstrators clashed on the evening of November 2, the interior ministry said on November 3.

The unrest comes amid rising political tensions in Serbia, where discontent over corruption, governance and accountability has grown amid a year of opposition protests against President Aleksandar Vucic’s ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

The confrontation erupted late on November 2, when anti-government protesters faced off with SNS supporters camping in an area known as “Ćaciland” opposite the parliament building. Video footage shared online showed pyrotechnics, bottles and other objects being thrown between the two groups as police formed a cordon to separate them.

The ministry said one tent in Ćaciland was set on fire and a police officer was injured by a pyrotechnic device. It accused anti-government protesters of attacking SNS supporters but did not comment on video evidence showing pro-government demonstrators also throwing projectiles.

The violence in Belgrade followed a massive rally in Novi Sad on November 1, where over 100,000 people gathered peacefully to mark the first anniversary of a railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people. The disaster has become a symbol of public anger over corruption and alleged government negligence.

The opposition has accused authorities of failing to take responsibility for the tragedy, while government officials have dismissed the protests as an attempt to destabilise the country.