Serbian pro-government media reported on Monday that President Aleksandar Vucic had asked the judiciary to pardon and free all the protest participants who were arrested and sentenced over the incident at the state TV (RTS) and protest in front of the presidency building.

The RTS added that Vucic said he would never pardon the people who brought a chain saw to the protest or others who attacked the police.

The Tanjug agency said it had been told by unspecified sources “in the president’s cabinet” that Vucic had requested the release of the arrested protesters.

Earlier, Alliance for Serbia leader Dragan Djilas called the president to free the arrested protests or face peaceful protests and vigils in front of the presidency building.

The police confirmed the arrest of 18 protesters, including a high scholl student whose classmates protested demanding his release.