Protest continues in Bosnian town after major riot

Source: B92

TUZLA -- A protest has resumed in the town of Tuzla in eastern Bosnia on Friday, after a day of clashes between the police and demonstrators, and a peaceful night.

(Tanjug)

New protests have been announced in many towns in Bosnia-Herzegovina for Friday.
The police late on Thursday used tear gas to disperse the protesters from in front of the building housing the cantonal government. Police officers were then deployed around the building.

On Thursday, more than 6,000 angry workers and citizens turned out to protest against unemployment and political intransigence. The gathering turned violent when they threw stones at the government building, demanding the cabinet's resignation.

Roads were blocked and tires burned, and at one point the flag of the Tuzla Canton - a subdivision of the Muslim-Croat Federation (FBiH) entity - was also set on fire. Some demonstrators then took to looting stores.

Ministers and other employees had to flee the building through the back door.

The ground floor of the government building "has been destroyed," according to reports. The town's medical services said they treated 102 injured police officers and 28 citizens, the latter mostly for inhaling tear gas.