VIDEO: Serbian police arrest Jamshit Arifi from Pristina, protesting against coronary measures in Belgrade
One of the most exposed leaders of the protests against the measures of the Serbian authorities to deal with the coronavirus epidemic, Jamshit Arifi from Pristina, was arrested last night in Belgrade for "insolent and reckless behavior", Serbian media report. According to the police, he refused to have a breathalyzer test and did not carry an ID, after which he was detained and a misdemeanor judge ordered a 24-hour detention.
They are happening in Belgrade for several days in a row protests against vaccination and government anti-epidemic measures. At the protests, which also saw sporadic clashes between police and protesters, conspiracy theories and unsubstantiated science claims could be heard.
"We all go to a bar after ten o'clock, as we have been doing all our lives! "No one has the right to ban our movement, they are obliged to serve us by law, without discrimination," said one of the protesters who addressed those gathered at yesterday's protest.
Arifi, 35, according to the reports, was reported as a resident of Pristina, and the police arrested him after he took part in blocking the streets in the center of Belgrade, which is also recorded in a video published by the media:
Pro-government media have also speculated that he, as a Kosovo Albanian, could use the protests as a "chance to wreak havoc" in the Serbian capital. Police say the Serbian BIA (Security Information Agency) as well as the SBPTE (Counter-Terrorism and Extremism Service) will be involved in the proceedings against Arifi.