Pro-Russian Right-Wing Serbs Hold Another Demonstration In Belgrade

Thousands of people waving Russian and Serbian flags and carrying pictures of Russian President Vladimir Putin marched through Belgrade on April 15 to protest Serbia's support for Russia's suspension from the UN Human Rights Council.

The demonstration, organized by the far-right anti-immigrant group the People’s Patrol, gathered at the monument to Russian Tsar Nikolai II in the center of Belgrade and from there walked to the Russian Embassy chanting, "Serbs and Russians -- brothers forever," "No NATO," and, "Crimea is Russia, Kosovo is Serbia.”

They lit torches and threw smoke bombs in front of the building of the Serbian presidency, shouting slogans against President Aleksandar Vucic. Law enforcement officers took no action.

The protest was also supported by the right-wing movement Dveri, which is entering the Serbian Parliament with 10 seats won in elections on April 3.

The organizers of the protest demanded that the government in Belgrade "immediately stop all proceedings against Russia in international organizations."

Serbia has voted against Russia three times in favor of UN resolutions condemning its invasion of Ukraine but has been explicit in supporting only decisions that do not relate to sanctions. Serbia voted to exclude Russia from the UN Human Rights Council on April 7, joining 93 members of the 193-member General Assembly voting in favor of suspension.

The protest on April 15 was the latest held in Belgrade in support of Russia’s war against Ukraine. A March 13 demonstration, also organized by the People's Patrol, featured several dozen vehicles marked with a Z -- symbol of the Russian Army in Ukraine -- and Serbian and Russian flags cruising the city's streets.

Protests in support of Russia were also organized on March 4 and March 24 in the center of Belgrade. They drew thousands of participants, who chanted slogans of support for Russia as they walked to the Russian Embassy.