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

The unrest in Belgrade and throughout the country marked a serious escalation of more than nine months of largely peaceful demonstrations led by Serbia's university students that have shaken Vucic's firm grip on power.

Serbia’s police said they detained hundreds of demonstrators who took part in anti-government protests throughout the country this week. The arrests came amid reports of police brutality and excessive use of force during the unrest.