Serbian police fire tear gas at election protesters in Belgrade as hundreds of demonstrators threaten to storm city hall over vote tampering fears

Serbian police fired tear gas to prevent hundreds of opposition supporters from entering the capital’s city council building on Sunday.

Demonstrators gathered to protest what election observers said were widespread voting irregularities during last weekend’s general election.

The country’s populist authorities deny voter fraud and call elections to fill parliament and local government bodies fair.

President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday that the claims were clear “lies” promoted by the political opposition.

Mr Vucic also suggested that the unrest was provoked from abroad.

Riot police in Serbia used tear gas to disperse protesters near the Belgrade City Council building

Pictured: Officers take positions as opposition supporters try to storm the Belgrade mayor’s office.

Demonstrators gathered to protest what election observers said were widespread voting irregularities during last weekend’s general election.

Police corner a protester outside the city council building

Opposition supporter detained by police

Serbia’s populist authorities deny voter fraud and say elections to fill parliament and local governments are fair.

Pictured: A protester uses a metal object against police at the entrance to the Belgrade City Council building.

Protesters outside the council building in Serbia’s capital wave national flags to protest election irregularities last week

President Aleksandar Vucic called the demonstrators “thugs” and suggested the unrest was instigated from abroad.

Addressing the nation during a protest outside Belgrade City Hall, he called demonstrators “thugs” who would fail to destabilize the state and said: “This is not a revolution.”

“They will not succeed,” Mr. Vucic said.

“We are doing everything possible so that our calm and gentle reaction does not offend the demonstrators” who came to the event to peacefully protest.

Protected riot police barricaded themselves inside Belgrade City Hall, firing tear gas as hundreds of opposition protesters smashed windows at the entrance.

Protesters shouted “Open the door” and “Thieves.” They also pelted the building with eggs.

Some chanted: “Vučić is Putin,” comparing the Serbian president to the Russian leader.

Police later cleared the crowd from the city center and made several arrests.

There were no immediate reports of injuries.

Pictured: Protesters throw stones at Serbia’s city council building amid post-election unrest in the country over the weekend.

Protected riot police barricaded themselves in Belgrade City Hall

Pictured: Demonstrators gathered outside Belgrade City Hall after the main opposition party, the Serbia Against Violence Alliance, said it had been deprived of victory and said it would not recognize the election results.

Election results on December 17 showed Mr Vucic’s Serbian Progressive Party winning both parliamentary and city elections in Belgrade.

The party’s main opponent, the Serbia Against Violence Alliance, said it was deprived of victory, especially in Belgrade.

The vote has caused political tension in the troubled Balkan country, which seeks close ties with Russia as well as membership of the European Union.

In a letter sent to institutions, officials and EU member states, Serbia Against Violence said it did not recognize the election results.

The alliance called on the EU to do the same and launch an investigation.