Tens of thousands of Serbs join anti-government protests in 4th week to pile more pressure on the Serbian President 'Aleksandar Vucic' and his ruling 'Progressive Party' in capital city of 'Belgrade' on Saturday 30 December 2018.

Iran Press/ Europe: Thousands of people chanted 'Vucic thief' as they marched peacefully through the city center for the fourth week. Media freedom and termination of attacks on journalist and opposition politicians is the main demand of people, 'Balkan Insight' reported.

On Saturday tens of thousands of protesters voicing anger at Serbian President 'Vucic' and calling on him to fire the Interior Minister 'Nebojsa Stefanovic' because of his alleged role in the 'criminalization of society and insulting protesters'.

Protesters raise their voice against political violence in the country and demanding resignations of officials as well.

Columns of people marched near major institutions, including parliament, government buildings, and also the public broadcaster, 'RTS' demanding fairer treatment in its reports.

Protester carried banners, some of them reading: “Your time will end” and “It has started”, while blowing whistles.

Oppositions and protesters say 'Vucic' is 'autocrat' and his party is 'corrupt'. After the first protest on December 8, which surprised many with its size, President 'Vucic' said he would not fulfill any of their demands.

But 'Vucic' with the increase of protesters' pressures and joining more people to the protest in an interview with the pro-government 'B TV' said he was ready to discuss the opposition demands.

The organizers claimed between 35,000 and 40,000 had attended.

The protests were triggered by an incident on November 23, when an opposition politician, 'Borko Stefanovic', was attacked and bloodied in the southern town of 'Krusevac'. Unknown men beat him and some colleagues with wooden sticks.

Police said they arrested three suspects that day. But on December 25 the suspects were released from prison. All three had denied responsibility for the incident.

The protests are formally organized by the 'Protest Against Dictatorship' group, which organized earlier mass protests after 'Vucic' was elected Serbian President in April 2016.

Organizers announced that the next protest will be held on January 5.

Major opposition protests have been relatively rare in Serbia since the popular unrest that ousted former 'strongman Slobodan Milosevic' in 2000.Ruling party of 'Serbia Progressive Party' (SNS) founded in 2008 forged a coalition with 'Milosevic’s Socialists party'. 205/103

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