Vucic: Authorities determined to prevent violence on St Vitus's Day

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Tuesday state authorities were determined to prevent potential violence at a protest announced for St Vitus's Day, June 28.

"Perpetrators of violence will be arrested on St Vitus's Day because they (protesters) must commit some act of violence. The threats they are making are worse than the last time around. I believe everyone will be able to see that and find that out in the next two days. You can see that you are not dealing with irresponsible and unserious people, but with people who wish evil on their own country, their own state and their own people," Vucic told reporters when asked about the protest.

"It is known that the blockaders are not even too popular anymore," he said.

"That is the big difference compared to March, and the difference is even bigger compared to February, when they were the most popular in Serbia," he added.

"Now everyone realises this is about dirty politics and a coloured revolution," Vucic added, noting that people should not worry as authorities were "absolutely determined" to prevent violence.

"We do not want an intervention and we are not looking forward to one, but we know there will have to be one as violence is the only thing that is discussed at each of their plenums - brutal violence, as you will be able to both see and hear in the coming days," Vucic said.