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Russian envoy notes effort to gather people from all over Serbia to swell protest ranks

According to Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko, "a large number of city residents are remaining calm, going about their everyday business"

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. Many people are being brought to Belgrade from all regions of Serbia to swell the ranks of street protests against the outcome of the country’s parliamentary elections, Russian Ambassador to Serbia Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko told the Soloviev Live TV channel.

"People who are brought from all over Serbia constitute a considerable part of these demonstrators," he noted. In this regard, the diplomat pointed out that "the entire city of" Belgrade "has not risen up." "In fact, a large number of city residents are remaining calm, going about their everyday business. They cast their ballots for the current leadership and they want to continue to live and work in a calm environment," the ambassador said.

According to Botsan-Kharchenko, it is no secret how people are being "encouraged to take part in the protests." "It’s based on the experience that was gained in the Maidan [coup in 2014] in Kiev," he added.

On December 24, members of the Serbia Against Violence opposition bloc, who started a series of rallies in front of the Republican Election Commission building in Belgrade on December 18, tried to storm the city hall building but police officers dispersed the protesters. Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic warned that opposition protests would lead to nothing as "elections are the only way to change the government" in the country. Opponents of the country’s leadership are challenging the victory of the ruling party-led coalition in Belgrade's city council election.

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