Serbia protests turn violent on third night nationwide

Clashes between antigovernment protesters and supporters of Serbia’s ruling party spread across the country for a third night, turning ongoing demonstrations into street violence that left dozens injured, including police officers, and raised fears of further confrontation as the country debates its political future. The protests, which began last year in the wake of a railway terminal collapse that killed 16 people, have evolved into a broad challenge to President Aleksandar Vučić and his government, with demonstrators demanding early elections and a crackdown on perceived corruption and abuses of power.

The violence began in the northwestern town of Vrbas, where riot police briefly separated rival groups outside the offices of Vučić’s Serbian Progressive Party. Reports from the scene describe government supporters throwing flares, rocks and bottles at protesters, who returned fire with various projectiles. Police said dozens were injured, including 16 officers, and several people were detained as authorities tried to restore order in Vrbas and in other towns that saw similar clashes late on Tuesday and into Wednesday. Local authorities said protesters attacked party offices,...