A driver plowed into a crowd of anti-government protesters in Serbia’s capital on Friday, injuring one person as demonstrations intensified against President Aleksandar Vucic.

The incident occurred in Belgrade’s “New Belgrade” district, where police detained the 24-year-old driver. Authorities said the injured protester, a 26-year-old woman, was hospitalized in stable condition.

Newsweek has reached out to Belgrade Urban Municipality for comment via email.

Why It Matters

The protests, led by students, have gained momentum as they demand accountability for the deaths of 15 people in a train station canopy collapse in November. Critics blame the disaster on government corruption, fueling widespread discontent. The demonstrations have posed a serious challenge to Vucic’s leadership, prompting counter rallies by his supporters and accusations against the protesters of foreign interference.

What to Know

The nationwide protests coincided with a pro-government rally in Jagodina, where Vucic addressed his supporters. He claimed Serbia was under attack from both internal and external forces, citing the country’s close ties with Russia and China and its refusal to sanction Moscow. “It is not accidental that they have attacked Serbia from abroad,” he told the crowd, urging resistance against external pressure.

Negotiations Rejected

Vucic also proposed dialogue with the student protesters, who have received backing from various sectors of society. However, the students have rejected negotiations, accusing the government of failing to address their concerns. The protests have included daily traffic blockades, with Friday’s held at exactly 11:52 a.m.—the time of the canopy collapse.

Anti-Government Strikes

Serbian universities and many businesses have joined the movement, with restaurants, shops, and theaters closing in solidarity. The affect of the one-day strike remains unclear, but participation extended across multiple cities, including Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Nis. Protests even took place in Jagodina before Vucic’s arrival.

The train station in Novi Sad, where the collapse occurred, had undergone two rounds of renovations as part of an infrastructure deal with Chinese state firms. Prosecutors have charged 13 individuals, including a government minister, in connection with the disaster. However, the release of former construction minister Goran Vesic has raised doubts about the investigation’s impartiality.

What People Are Saying

Actor Goran Susljik told N1 regional television “Things can’t stay the same anymore. Students have offered us the possibility of change.”

Protesting students issued a call to action, stating “Let’s take freedom in our hands.”

President Aleksandar Vucic said the country has been “attacked both from outside and inside” by the anti-government protests.

What Happens Next

As protests continue to gain traction, Vucic has announced plans to launch a new political movement in March, modeled after Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s United Russia party. The initiative aims to consolidate his party’s dominance by incorporating nonaffiliated individuals. Meanwhile, tensions remain high as government supporters accuse the students of conspiring with foreign intelligence services to destabilize Serbia.

This article includes reporting from The Associated Press