Mar 15, Kathmandu- Millions of anti-corruption protesters gathered in the Serbian capital Belgrade on Saturday.

The protests are the biggest since the anti-corruption movement began in November when a train station roof collapsed in the city of Novi Sad, killing 15 people.

Supporters of President Aleksandar Vukic’s embattled government are also gathering in the capital, raising concerns about the risk of clashes there.

Both the European Union and the United Nations on Friday appealed to the government to respect its right to demonstrate.

The train station disaster has reignited long-standing resentment over alleged corruption and delays in construction projects.

For weeks, student-led protests have been taking place in Serbia’s major cities.

They have also taken their anti-corruption campaign to rural settlements and cities, long the backbone of support for Vučić’s government.

The student-led movement is likely to increase pressure on the government when it returns to Belgrade on Saturday. The protests have led to the resignation of several high-ranking officials, including the prime minister.

But government supporters have also been gathering in the capital. Groups including right-wing groups and militia members have been seen setting up barricades near parliament in support of the government.

This has raised fears of clashes with student-led protesters who are preparing to march to parliament on Saturday.

On Friday evening, riot police left a nearby camp surrounded by barricades and tractors.

As protesters began to enter the city, vowing not to back down in a wider protest, Vucic said in a nationally televised address:
“I am the president of Serbia and I will not let the streets dictate the rules of this country.”

He called on all sides to refrain from violence and instructed police to refrain from using excessive force.

Thousands of supporters, well-wishers and protesters from various Serbian cities lined the streets of Belgrade on Friday night to welcome the student protesters who have taken to the streets in the capital.

“There will definitely be no violence here because we all came with the same goal: to march and welcome the leadership that will liberate Serbia,” said Tijana Duric, a 20-year-old student at the Faculty of Economics in Belgrade.

However, some analysts have warned that the situation could become more tense. “The government is trying to escalate the tension and we will see this for a few more days,” said political analyst Srdjan Vucic.

Government-backed media have aired incitement allegations that the students are planning a “coup.” Vucic had previously accused the protesters of “massive violence.”

Police briefly clashed with protesters who blocked the entrance to state broadcaster RTS on Monday in response to alleged unfavorable coverage of the demonstrations.

Opposition lawmakers held a torchlight procession in support of the protests last week on the first day of the spring parliamentary session. The government said several lawmakers were injured in the clashes.

But while Vucic warned of a “final” demonstration on Saturday, student protesters have said they will continue their march until their demands for accountability are met.

“If our demands are not met, we will block the streets and join further protests,” one student group said in a public post online.