(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, 11 JUL - Thousands protested for a
fourth day Friday across Serbia over the government's handling
of the coronavirus pandemic as officials condemned the
demonstrations and announced a record jump in cases. Some
demonstrators threw firecrackers and chanted nationalist
slogans, according to AFP journalists. The protests were held as
the Balkan nation announced a record daily death toll from
COVID-19. Prime Minister Ana Brnabic said earlier Friday the
Balkan state recorded 18 fatalities and 386 new cases over 24
hours in what she described as a "dramatic increase". At the
same time, Brnabic condemned as "irresponsible" protests held in
Belgrade and other cities on Thursday, after demonstrations in
the capital on the previous two days had spilled over into
violence. "With regard to the demonstrations, there is no more
irresponsible behaviour right now," said Brnabic. "We shall see
the results of the protests in three to four days," she said and
called on people to respect measures to restrict the spread of
the virus. President Aleksandar Vucic condemned the actions of
demonstrators who had blocked the main road into the
second-largest city of Novi Sad as "pure terrorism", speaking on
national TV. Vucic added, "we are in this situation because of
the irresponsibility of those who are calling for people to be
on the streets". "I am begging people not to protest because
they will end up seeking medical help," he said, adding the
demonstrations were unlawful. Protesters have given vent to
their frustration with Vucic, who is seen by many as having
facilitated a virus second wave by lifting an initial lockdown
so that elections could be held on June 21 and which his Serbian
Progressive Party (SNS) largely won. The first demonstration on
Tuesday was triggered after Vucic announced the return of a
weekend curfew to combat a second wave of coronavirus infections
that has overwhelmed hospitals in Belgrade. The president later
backtracked on his plan, but the protests continued, turning
into a general rebuke of his handling of the health crisis. On
Thursday, the government formally dropped the curfew plan and
announced restrictions on public gatherings of more than 10
people -- effectively barring protests. A wave of new
infections came after a number of sporting events were allowed
to go ahead amid minimal social distancing. These included a
tennis tournament organised by multiple grand slam champion
Novak Djokovic, who tested positive for coronavirus along with
three other participants at his ill-fated Adria Tour. Several
senior politicians also tested positive in the wake of SNS
celebrations of its election triumph. To date, Serbia has logged
370 coronavirus deaths and almost 18,000 cases. Neighbouring
Croatia and Bosnia likewise posted 24-hour records for new virus
cases Friday -- 116 and 316 respectively. (ANSA-AFP). (ANSA).
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