Opposition Leader Arrested Over Protesting Demolition of Belgrade Bridge

Photo; Beta/Milan Ilić

Savo Manojlovic, the leader of the oppositional Get Going for Change movement, was taken into police custody on Nov. 20 at a rally protesting the demolition of Belgrade’s Old Sava Bridge.

Along with several members of the public and members of his movement, Manojlovic attempted to push through the police cordon blocking the closed-off bridge, but was overpowered, forced to the ground and arrested.

Judging from his visible bleeding, Manojlovic was injured in the altercation.

In the night between Nov. 19 and 20, police in full riot gear shut down public access to the Old Sava Bridge, after which laborers commenced pulling out the tramlines.

In response to these events, activist of The Bridge Stays initiative Djordje Miketic called on the public to blockade Branko’s Bridge, which connects New Belgrade with the capital’s downtown area, at noon on Nov. 20.