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Clashes erupt at Belgrade rally | |
(10 minutes later) | |
Clashes have broken out between police and demonstrators in Belgrade at a mass rally in support of captured former Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic. | |
Riot police fired tear gas at small groups of protestors following passionate political speeches by right-wing politicians and figures. | |
An estimated 15,000 people took to the streets in the main rally, organised by Serbia's Radical Party. | |
Mr Karadzic is expected to be sent to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. | Mr Karadzic is expected to be sent to the war crimes tribunal in The Hague. |
He was arrested a week ago after 13 years on the run. | He was arrested a week ago after 13 years on the run. |
Earlier on Tuesday EU ambassadors put off a decision on establishing closer ties with Serbia until the extradition. | Earlier on Tuesday EU ambassadors put off a decision on establishing closer ties with Serbia until the extradition. |
Serbian judges say they have still not received an appeal from Mr Karadzic's lawyers against his arrest. | Serbian judges say they have still not received an appeal from Mr Karadzic's lawyers against his arrest. |
The BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade said that while the demonstration showed the anger and frustration of a hard core of nationalists, most Serbs understand that the arrest was necessary to enable Serbia move forward. | The BBC's Helen Fawkes in Belgrade said that while the demonstration showed the anger and frustration of a hard core of nationalists, most Serbs understand that the arrest was necessary to enable Serbia move forward. |
February violence | February violence |
The rally in Serbia's capital was the first mass demonstration since Mr Karadzic's arrest. | |
Protesters, among them many brought in by bus from all over the country, filled a central square a show of support for a man they still consider a hero. | |
I support the right to demonstrations, but order will be kept President Boris Tadic "I came here to protest against Karadzic's extradition," said Slobodanka Sanojevic, 60. | |
"He is a great man, he created a state for Serbs (in Bosnia) and saved Serbian children from genocide." | "He is a great man, he created a state for Serbs (in Bosnia) and saved Serbian children from genocide." |
BBC regional analyst Steven Eke says the radicals picked up nearly one-third of the vote in May's election and represents many ordinary Serbians who reject further integration with the West. | |
The US embassy has sent an e-mail to American citizens living in Belgrade urging them to avoid the central area and "exercise caution". | The US embassy has sent an e-mail to American citizens living in Belgrade urging them to avoid the central area and "exercise caution". |
Protests in February on the issue of Kosovo's independence saw part of the US embassy burned. Small scale protests this week have led to clashes in which journalists were attacked. | |
'Bad messages' | 'Bad messages' |
Many brought banners and showed their support | Many brought banners and showed their support |
Radical Party leader Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday's protest was "against the treacherous and dictatorial regime" of Serbian President Boris Tadic. | Radical Party leader Aleksandar Vucic said Tuesday's protest was "against the treacherous and dictatorial regime" of Serbian President Boris Tadic. |
He told the crowds that "thieves and bandits are ruling Serbia", adding: "We will fight for Serbia and Serbia will be free." | He told the crowds that "thieves and bandits are ruling Serbia", adding: "We will fight for Serbia and Serbia will be free." |
Mr Tadic said on Tuesday that Europe wanted a Serbia governed by law and promised that "order will be kept". | |
Mr Tadic also condemned threats against him and his family in the wake of the arrest. | |
Extradition wait | Extradition wait |
Mr Karadzic faces 11 charges, including genocide and crimes against humanity during the war in Bosnia in the 1990s. | Mr Karadzic faces 11 charges, including genocide and crimes against humanity during the war in Bosnia in the 1990s. |
He was arrested in Belgrade last week after nearly 13 years as a fugitive. | He was arrested in Belgrade last week after nearly 13 years as a fugitive. |
EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels on Tuesday stopped short of offering Serbia any immediate prospect of joining the EU following the arrest. | EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels on Tuesday stopped short of offering Serbia any immediate prospect of joining the EU following the arrest. |
Instead they decided to defer a decision on unfreezing trade benefits until they saw Mr Karadzic transferred to The Hague. | Instead they decided to defer a decision on unfreezing trade benefits until they saw Mr Karadzic transferred to The Hague. |
Diplomats say they also want UN war crimes prosecutor Serge Brammertz to report on whether Serbia is fully co-operating with the tribunal. | Diplomats say they also want UN war crimes prosecutor Serge Brammertz to report on whether Serbia is fully co-operating with the tribunal. |
The lawyer for the former Bosnian Serb leader said he sent the appeal documents by post from a remote location in Serbia before the Friday deadline to delay the process. | The lawyer for the former Bosnian Serb leader said he sent the appeal documents by post from a remote location in Serbia before the Friday deadline to delay the process. |
The appeal is expected to be swiftly rejected. | The appeal is expected to be swiftly rejected. |
Are you in Serbia? Are you planning to go to the rally for Radovan Karadzic? Send us your comments using the form below. | Are you in Serbia? Are you planning to go to the rally for Radovan Karadzic? Send us your comments using the form below. |
Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to +44 7725 100 100 or you have a large file you can upload here. Read the terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |