Vucic: More than 35 rioters arrested after attempt to take over institutions by force

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday evening more than 35 rioters had been arrested after an attempt to take over Serbian state institutions by force.

Vucic was speaking to Pink TV after a National Security Council session called to address the riots.

"We analysed everything that was going on this evening, and I thanked all members of the Police Brigade, the Gendarmerie and all police personnel, who shouldered a large burden this evening, and we reviewed all information with representatives of the Security Information Agency as well," Vucic said.

No one has the right to inflict serious physical injuries on police officers, Vucic said.

"For now, we have two police officers with serious injuries and several others with minor injuries or injuries whose gravity is unclear," he said.

He said the riots had been prepared beforehand.

"Our security agencies and information services had completely seen it coming... This evening, there was an attempt to take over Serbian state institutions by force," Vucic said.