Thousands gathered in Belgrade to commemorate the NATO bombing campaign of 1999 and protest against the development of a luxury compound by an investment company founded by Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Serbia is grappling with fallout from a recent tragedy involving the collapse of a railway station roof, which resulted in 16 deaths and sparked allegations of widespread corruption and negligence.
The protests have attracted a diverse crowd, including students, teachers, and farmers, posing a significant challenge to President Aleksandar Vucic, who has held power for 12 years as either prime minister or president.
The demonstration was organized by students from the University of Belgrade, who have been blocking classes since early December and have spearheaded anti-government protests for the past four months.
Ognjen Pjevac, a 20-year-old student, participated in the protest in front of the former military headquarters, which was leased to investment firm Affinity Partners by Serbian authorities last year.
“It is the 26th anniversary of the NATO bombing. We protest because this building has been given to someone to make profit. It should remain here as a testament to NATO aggression,” Pjevac stated.
The buildings, designed by Serbian architect Nikola Dobrovic and constructed between 1957 and 1965, were damaged during the NATO bombing of what was then Yugoslavia, aimed at stopping violence against ethnic Albanians during a police counter-insurgency.
Their design is inspired by the canyon of the Sutjeska River in Eastern Bosnia, site of a major World War II battle in 1943.
“The buildings should have remained as a protected cultural monument,” said Predrag Janjic, 61, another protester.