Serbian President Calls Anti-Lithium Protests Part of Hybrid Warfare

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has accused demonstrators who opposed a lithium mining project of being part of a Western-backed hybrid war against his government.

Vucic's statement was quoted by the AR news agency, according to Evropeiska Pravda.

In one of the largest protests in recent years, tens of thousands of people took to the streets in Belgrade on Saturday to protest against lithium mining in Serbia. This happened despite officials' warnings of an alleged plot to overthrow Vucic and his government. Among other things, protesters tried to block railroad stations and a highway.

Vucic told reporters on Sunday that while the main protest was conducted democratically, the highway blockade was "terror of the minority over the majority."

"This is part of a hybrid approach aimed at overthrowing the government," Vucic told reporters.

"We knew everything in detail. You think you surprised somebody... we have always been restrained, without violence we ensured order in the country, no problem," he added.

Author - Dmitriy Levchenko, 12/08/2024