Zagreb, 3 July 2025 (Hina/MIA) - The Croatian Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs has advised Croatian nationals to postpone all non-essential travel to Serbia and called for increased caution and monitoring of the situation in the neighboring country.

"Given that random road blockades often occur due to civil protests, it is important to bear in mind that it is impossible to predict traffic conditions and potential complications in advance, which may significantly affect traffic flow throughout the country," it adds.

The ministry specifically advises Croatian citizens to avoid places where large crowds gather.

In case of an emergency, Croatian citizens have the right to contact the Croatian Embassy in Serbia via the emergency phone number +381 63 485 757.

Police interventions in Belgrade, 80 detained, several injured

After police forcibly dispersed protesters and broke up barricades Wednesday evening in Belgrade, opposition parties, NGOs and civic groups condemned Thursday what they described as "brutal repression" and "the final act of Vučić's drama", while Vučić told protesters that they "have no chance whatsoever."

Nearly 80 protesters were detained, including a university professor, and several people were injured, one student seriously, during Wednesday evening and into the night, when police intervened to dismantle blockades set up during increasingly large acts of civil disobedience called for by students following the anti-government rally on June 28, demanding early parliamentary elections.

In numerous statements from opposition parties and civic movements, alongside sharp condemnations of police brutality, calls have been made for the resignation of Interior Minister Ivica Dačić, the dismissal of the Chief Public Prosecutor of the High Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, Nenad Stefanović, and the initiation of accountability proceedings over serious breaches of law and ethical standards.

On the other hand, the Ministry of the Interior claims that the police "acted in accordance with the law."

According to the Ministry’s statement, the identities of a total of 1,297 protesters were checked during the past night, and 79 were detained; 72 for misdemeanors and seven for criminal offenses. It is reported that four police officers were injured, but the number of injured protesters has not been disclosed.

The disgruntled students claim that more of their peers were injured, with four seriously hurt, one of whom suffered a broken collarbone. Also injured was an American citizen, a student at the University of Belgrade.

Meanwhile, students and citizens have announced new protests and blockades for this evening in Belgrade, Novi Sad and many other cities.

Protests are already under way Thursday in several locations in Belgrade, with students and citizens having gathered outside the court where the hearing of students arrested during the protests two days ago is expected.