Thousands protest lithium mining in Serbia. Officials say it’s a plot against populist president

Associated Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (AP) — Tens of thousands of protesters have rallied in downtown Belgrade against lithium mining in Serbia. That’s despite official warnings that the demonstration on Saturday was an alleged plot to topple populist President Aleksandar Vučić and his government. He said earlier that he has been tipped off by the Russian intelligence services that a “mass unrest and a coup” were being prepared in Serbia by unspecified Western powers.  Organizers of the Belgrade protest have said the protest would be peaceful. The rally in the downtown of the capital comes after weeks of protests against the mining in cities throughout Serbia.