Serbian police officers threw tear gas and charged against protesters as tensions escalated between authorities and anti-government protesters in the capital. The country has been gripped by protests since November,

Fresh clashes erupted late Saturday between protesters and riot police in Serbia's capital Belgrade and other cities, on the fifth consecutive night of unrest. In the central city of Valjevo, where thousands had gathered to show their growing anger against the party of right-wing President Aleksandar Vucic,

Police fired tear gas at anti-government protesters in downtown Belgrade as they clashed for the third day on Friday in the Serbian capital and other cities amid reports of police brutality and excessive use of force during the unrest.

POLITICO spoke to an opposition lawmaker who said he was beaten by masked men as demonstrations were met with a violent response.