BELGRADE, March 14 (Reuters) - Thousands of protesters, predominantly students, gathered in Serbia's capital on Friday, ahead of a planned weekend of rallies. Many traveled long distances on foot or by bike.
President Aleksandar Vucic mentioned that he instructed the police to exercise restraint but to apprehend troublemakers. He stated at a press conference, "The state will make every effort to maintain peace. Individuals who jeopardize peace will be detained."
Amid cheers and Serbian flags waving, columns of students started converging on Belgrade city center. In a show of support, hundreds of bikers parked near the parliament revved their engines, while passing cars honked in solidarity.
Supporters, including Belgrade students, rolled out a red carpet along the main Terazije boulevard for the arriving protesters.
"Belgraders, liberators have arrived," exclaimed Angelina, 19, a student from the northern city of Zrenjanin.
These rallies are poised to be the largest in decades, sparked by a tragedy last December. 15 people lost their lives when a roof collapsed at a railway station in Novi Sad on November 1, a calamity attributed by critics to corruption under Vucic.
Anticipating between 60,000 and 80,000 protesters to flood the capital, Vucic stated that authorities were prepared for many more.
The demonstrations have amassed a diverse group of participants, including students, teachers, farmers, and workers, presenting a significant challenge to Vucic, a populist figure who has held power for 12 years as prime minister and president.
This week, a sizeable number of Vucic's loyal supporters arrived in Belgrade to set up camp near his office in the city center, bolstered by tractors they brought overnight to encircle their base.
Earlier statements from outgoing Prime Minister Milos Vucevic warned that the police would intervene in case of violent incidents.
Following the demands articulated by students in December, which included the release of documents related to the railway station disaster and holding those accountable, prosecutors have charged 13 individuals over the incident. The government has also initiated an anti-corruption drive, resulting in the resignation of Vucevic and two ministers.