Of the 77 people arrested, 38 remained in custody, most of whom are currently facing criminal charges.
Serbian President Alexander Vic said more anti-government protesters would be arrested.
At a press conference on Sunday, the populist leader accused them of inciting student-led protests, violence and attacks on police on Saturday in Belgrade, the student-led capital.
“An attack on police will result in more arrests… this is not the end,” Wütchick said.
After the official part of the rally was over, the collision exploded. Police used pepper spray, batons and shields, while protesters threw rocks, bottles and other objects.
Critics say Vucic has become increasingly authoritarian since taking power over a decade ago, becoming the first vice-prime minister from 2012 to 2014 and prime minister from 2014 to 2017 before becoming president, hindering democratic freedom while allowing corruption and organized crime to flourish. He denies the charge.
Saturday’s rally was one of the largest of eight-month demonstrations caused by roof collapse at a train station in Novi Sad in November, killing 16 people.
Following the protests against the disaster, Prime Minister Milos Vsevic resigned, but the government continued its government and the Vic department were still in office.
Authorities have sized the crowd to 36,000. It is well below independent estimates by the archives of around 140,000 public meetings.
During his press conference, Vucic criticized “terrorists and those who tried to defeat the state,” and chose Vladan Jokic, dean of the University of Belgrade, who was one of the protesters.
“I’ll take my freedom into my own hands.”
“Serbia has won. We cannot destroy Serbia with violence,” Vucic said. “They consciously wanted to encourage bloodshed. The time has come for accountability.”
Protesters say the current populist government is “illegal” and has built a responsibility for violence against the government.
Police said Sunday that 48 officers were injured and 22 protesters sought medical assistance. Of the 77 people arrested, 38 remained in custody, most of whom face criminal charges, Interior Minister Ivica Dacic said.
Before Saturday’s protest, organizers had issued “Ultimate” for VUCIC to call the election. This is a request he repeatedly refused.
After the rally, organizers asked the Serbs to “take their freedom into their own hands” and issued a statement to the crowd to give them a “green light.”
“The authorities have always had all the mechanisms and always to meet the demands and prevent escalation,” the organizers said in an Instagram statement.
On Sunday, Vucic reiterated that there will be no national votes by the end of 2026.
He has repeatedly argued that the protest was part of a foreign conspiracy to destroy his 12-year government without providing evidence.
Over 12 people have been arrested in recent weeks. This has become a routine in the face of large-scale demonstrations.
Serbia is officially sought membership in the European Union, but Vucic’s government has cultivated close ties with Russia and China.
