Thousands protest violence in Serbia as authorities reject opposition criticism, demands

People march during a protest against violence in Belgrade, Serbia, May 19, 2023. [AP Photo]

Tens of thousands of people rallied in Serbia's capital Friday for the third time in a month to protest the government's handling of a crisis after two mass shootings in the Balkan country. Officials ignored their demands and claimed protesters were being manipulated by foreign secret services.

In a show of defiance, the nationalist right-wing party of autocratic Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic organized a counterprotest in a town north of Belgrade attended by thousands of his supporters.