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n the heart of Belgrade, a city still grappling with the scars of war, thousands of protesters gathered on Monday to denounce a luxury real estate project that threatens to erase a painful chapter in Serbia's history. The target of their ire was Jared Kushner, son-in-law of US President Donald Trump and head of Affinity Partners, which has leased the former army headquarters from the Serbian authorities.

    The building, ravaged by NATO bombs in 1999 during the Kosovo war, is set to be transformed into a high-end compound featuring a Trump hotel, luxury apartments, office spaces, and shops. But for many Serbs, it remains a potent symbol of resistance against foreign aggression. "This building should remain as a testament to NATO's brutality," said Ognjen Pjevac, a 20-year-old University of Belgrade student.

    The protests were the latest in a series of massive demonstrations against President Aleksandar Vucic's government, accused of corruption and democratic backsliding. Critics point to a litany of grievances, from the collapse of a train station roof last November that killed 15 people to the greenlighting of a lithium mine that opponents say will pollute water sources.

    As Serbia navigates its delicate balancing act between Europe and Russia, Vucic has leaned increasingly towards Moscow in recent years. The government's close ties with Putin have sparked concerns about democratic erosion and corruption. Monday's protests coincided with Remembrance Day for the victims of NATO's 1999 bombing campaign, a painful reminder of the country's complex history.

    The protesters demanded that the site be reinstated as a heritage site and that plans for the development project be scrapped. Their message was clear: this is not just about a luxury hotel or shopping center – it's about preserving Serbia's memory and resisting foreign influence.