Clash between citizens and police in Novi Pazar, arrests and injuries reported

(Patria) - Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić stated that four people were arrested due to the clash between citizens and police in Novi Pazar.

- I want to say that arrests have begun in Novi Pazar, four people have just been arrested. Four of those who used violence against the Serbian police and their fellow citizens, and arrests will continue - Vučić said in a phone address on the program of the pro-government television Informer.

A clash occurred in Novi Pazar between the police and citizens while police officers were securing the entrance to the State University (DUNP), from which masked men had previously expelled students who were blocking the entrance.

According to Serbian media, there was mutual pushing, and then several citizens rushed towards the police officers, while some threw bottles and stones at them.

The police used shields and batons, while according to some citizens, pepper spray was also used.

Vučić assessed that what happened in Novi Pazar was "politically organized," and that the police stood at the entrance of the University and did not have the authority to intervene.

As he said, a request was received from the rector of DUNP during the morning, who came with security personnel because there was a danger of chemical substances spreading.

- The police acted within their authority, stood at the entrance, acted like dummies. Extremists began to use blockaders and students to implement anti-Serbian policy - assessed Vučić, without specifying what he meant by that.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Serbia announced that six police officers were injured, including the head of the Novi Pazar Police Administration, Nermin Ljajić.

Shortly after the incident, the police withdrew, and the students who were blocking the entrance entered the University building.