SERBIA: BELGRADE: STUDENTS PROTEST OVER COURT RULING UPDATE

Описание: (25 Nov 1996) English/Nat

A new, large wave of protestors poured into downtown Belgrade Monday night, swelling the crowd of demonstrators to some 80-thousand people.

The crowds threw eggs and smashed windows at the TV Belgrade building and offices of the Politika newspaper, both state-owned organizations.

The massive protest follows the decision by ruling local Socialist authorities Sunday to order a partial re-run of voting that had put the opposition in charge of Belgrade city council.

The demonstration in Belgrade's city-centre has reached dangerous proportions.

Chanting "Red Bandits!" tens of thousands of university students and other demonstrators poured onto the streets in Belgrade's city centre Monday.

They were protesting against court rulings that erased an apparent opposition victory in recent local elections.

The demonstrators demanded an explanation from Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

The courts that annulled the recent vote are widely thought to be controlled by Milosevic.

Opposition leaders say the protests demonstrate the widespread condemnation of the Socialist party and hoped for recognition from the international community.

SOUNDBITE:
"More than two hundred thousand people are now in Belgrade's streets. We expect half of million people here in Belgrade and we are ready to protect our election victory in a peaceful way. We expect full support from the European countries; United States and President Clinton himself"
SUPERCAPTION: Serbian Opposition leader Vuk Draskovic

Students are demanding that Milosevic's regime recognise the opposition victory in the recent elections.

People stood on their balconies to cheer and applaud the protests that are now entering its seventh day.

Protestors are particularly angry at TV Belgrade, whose reports have been heavily biased against the opposition movement.

The popular protests have been steadily gathering momentum and are becoming an ever-increasing threat to the stability of the Milosevic Government.

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