Prosecutors accused at least 13 people of collapse in Novi Sad at the train station in November.
Serbian anti-corruption protesters, riot police and supporters of President Alexander Vicz are facing Central Belgrade as tens of thousands of people have competed in the largest anti-government rally over the years.
The protests from students almost a day began in December after 1st the roof of a railway station collapsed in the northern city of Novi Sad on November 1st.
The sporadic clashes occurred overnight before protesters marched into Slaviha Square in front of a rally on Saturday. Police deployed hundreds of officers on the full riot equipment on Paionilski Park and across the street.
Thousands of veterans from the elite military brigade of maroon berets and bikers supporting students also confronted a 15-minute silence starting at 11:52am (10:52 GMT) to honor the victims of Novi’s sad tragedy during the roof collapse.
Some protesters read “He’s finished” and carried banners pointing to Vucic. Others chanted “Pump It Up,” a slogan adopted during four months of student-led protests.
“We’ve come for justice. Milika Stojanovic, a Belgrade biology student, told AFP news agency before the demonstration.
The gathering on Saturday is expected to be mostly peaceful, but on Friday night a car in the outskirts of protesters crashed into a line of protesters, causing police to injure the driver, and said the driver was arrested.
In Central Belgrade, a student and a university lecturer were injured in an attack by a group of men early Saturday, police said.
They were also detained three people after an overnight attack on tractors stationed around Pionilski Park.
In a statement issued on social media on Saturday, students urged those attending the rally to act “in a calm and responsible way.”
“The purpose of this movement is not to invade the system, nor to attack people who don’t think like us,” one statement read. “This movement should not be misused.”
To avoid tension, students also said they had moved through the stage at the heart of the planned protest in Slaviha Square, about 1km (0.6 miles) away from the front of the parliament building.
So far, Serbian prosecutors have indicted at least 13 people against Novi’s sad collapse, and the government has announced an anti-corruption campaign. Prime Minister Milos Vsevic and two ministers have also resigned.
But the pressure has risen over the days leading up to Saturday’s rally.
Government-backed media are broadcasting increasingly harsh accusations, saying students are planning to launch a “coup.” Previously, Vucic himself accused the protesters of organizing “massive violence.”
Vucic warned of Saturday’s “final” showdown, saying some student protesters will continue to meet until greater demands of accountability are met.
On Friday, Vic took him to the airwaves with a rebellious message to the protesters, promising not to face massive protests.
“I can’t put any pressure just to be clear,” Vucic said at an address that aired nationwide.
“I am the president of Serbia and streets do not allow the country to set rules.”
He also said he showed police restraint during the protest but asked them to detain the troublemaker.
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