Serbian Opposition Lawmakers Grill Minister Over Handling Of Protests

Tens of thousands of people have protested against a controversial lithium-mining project in Serbia in recent months.

Serbian opposition legislators questioned Interior Minister Ivica Dacic on September 6 over the alleged mistreatment of activists protesting against a controversial lithium-mining project in the Balkan country. The Serbian opposition has accused the police of intimidating activists during a string of protests against the mine in recent weeks. Allegations include claims that authorities have relied on arrests, wiretaps, and arbitrary detention at border crossings to harass activists. "We demanded that the Interior Ministry submit a report on its actions against activists during the period from June to August this year," said Bogdan Radovanovic, a parliamentarian from the opposition Green-Left Front.