(ANSA-AFP) - BELGRADE, MAR 15 - Tens of thousands of
protesters were set to converge in Serbia's capital Belgrade
Saturday, the latest in a series of anti-corruption
demonstrations to upend the Balkan country in recent months. The
stage was set for what could be the largest single protest since
the anti-graft movement first coalesced after 15 people were
killed when a railway station roof collapsed in the city of Novi
Sad in November. But with supporters of President Aleksandar
Vucic's embattled government also mobilising in the capital as
well, there is growing concern about the risk of clashes. Both
the European Union and the United Nations on Friday appealed to
the government to respect the right to demonstrate. The railway
station disaster ignited long-simmering bitterness over alleged
corruption and lax oversight in construction projects. For
weeks, the student-led protesters have criss-crossed the
country, holding rallies in Serbia's major cities. They have
also taken their anti-corruption crusade to the rural villages
and towns that have long been the backbone of support for
Vucic's government. Their return to Belgrade on Saturday will
likely further ramp up the pressure on the government, from
which several high ranking officials, including the prime
minister, have resigned in recent months. (ANSA-AFP).
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