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A pro-government camp outside Serbia’s national parliament caught fire on Wednesday, with videos posted online showing loud bangs and police with guns drawn as they swarmed the area.
President Aleksandar Vucic said the attack was a “terrorist act with political motives” carried out by a former state security employee seeking to create public panic.
At an extraordinary press conference later in the day, Vucic said one person had been arrested, calling the incident “a serious threat to public safety.”
Earlier, Vucic interrupted his appearance at a state event to announce the attack.
“I apologize for having to leave this wonderful event, but the reason is a terrorist act that took place in front of the National Assembly, and I will have to deal with it throughout the day,” he said during a ceremony at the Palace of Serbia.
According to local media, the incident occurred early Wednesday at a tent settlement outside parliament, where supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) have been camping for months.
Gunshots were heard before a fire broke out, leaving one person injured.
Unconfirmed reports suggested that a man fired several shots at another individual inside one of the tents, hitting him in the leg. The wounded man was taken to emergency services, while police detained the alleged attacker.
Following the incident, a large number of officers—including members of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit—were deployed around the parliament building, where the legislature was in session.
The blaze was quickly extinguished by firefighters, with the charred remains of the tent visible behind police barricades, according to an AFP reporter at the scene.
The camp in front of state institutions in Belgrade has been in place for several months, established by government supporters opposing anti-government protests sparked by a roof collapse last November at Novi Sad’s railway station that killed 16 people.
The cause of Wednesday’s fire was not immediately known, though videos shared on social media appeared to show flashes and bangs before flames engulfed a large white tent.
Police could be seen confronting someone moments before the blaze erupted.
According to state broadcaster RTS, one person was arrested and another was taken to an emergency medical center, though police have yet to confirm details.
Vucic’s office said he would deliver a “special public address” later Wednesday.
The improvised encampment of Vucic loyalists has blocked roads around parliament and a nearby park for months in a show of support for the president, who has faced nearly a year of protests against his government.
Protests erupted after the deadly roof collapse in Serbia’s second-largest city, Novi Sad—a tragedy that became a symbol of alleged corruption and negligence.
Demonstrators initially demanded a transparent investigation but have since called for early elections, accusing Vucic’s government of eroding democratic standards and tightening control over state institutions.
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