• Source:JND
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A shooting outside Serbia’s parliament in Belgrade on Wednesday left one person injured and sparked panic in the city centre, officials said. The 57-year-old man was shot in the hip, while a tent set up by supporters of President Aleksandar Vucic was set ablaze during the incident, which the president described as an “act of terror.” 

The incident occurred in a park situated between the parliament and President Vucic's office, where tents have been erected by his supporters to block protesters from approaching government buildings. No protests were taking place at the time. Video footage reported by Reuters and other media showed armed security officers rushing to the scene as flames engulfed a white tent near the parliament complex, sending thick smoke into the air.

According to Telegraf.rs, a 70-year-old man fired multiple shots, hitting the 57-year-old victim in the leg and discharging a gas canister inside the tent camp. Emergency services responded swiftly, transporting the injured man to a nearby hospital. Health Minister Zlatibor Lončar confirmed the wound was serious and required urgent surgery.

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Swift Security Response

Armed personnel quickly secured the area, detaining a suspect at the scene. Videos posted online, including on X and media outlets like NOVA, showed a man lying on the ground with his hands behind his back, surrounded by police. Firefighters extinguished the blaze in the tent, leaving charred remains visible from a nearby police blockade.

Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported that one person was arrested at the scene, while another individual was taken to an emergency medical centre. Officials have not released further details regarding the identities of the suspects or the condition of the injured man.

Tent Camps Outside Parliament

The tents outside parliament have been maintained by Vucic’s supporters for months, blocking roads and park areas as a display of loyalty to the embattled president. The encampments were initially established during ongoing anti-government protests, which have persisted for nearly a year. Authorities say the encampments were meant to prevent protesters from approaching government buildings, though they have now become a focal point of tension in central Belgrade.

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President Vucic Labels Shooting A Terror Act

President Vucic condemned the attack as an act of terror, highlighting concerns over public safety in the Serbian capital. “Such acts threaten the security of our citizens and democratic institutions,” he said in a statement. Investigations are ongoing as law enforcement works to identify motives and ensure the safety of those in the vicinity of parliament.

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