Belgrade (AFP) - Thousands protested in the Serbian capital on Saturday, accusing the authorities of theft and violence connected to plans to redevelop a popular area of Belgrade.

Protesters chanted "We will not be ignored" and "thieves" at the rally against the $3-billion (2.7-billion euro) deal with an Abu Dhabi-based developer to transform part of Belgrade into an upscale housing and shopping complex.

Demonstrators took aim in particular at an incident on April 24 in the arts and nightlife district of Savamala, where several buildings were demolished in the night by mysterious masked men.

Organisers said some 15,000 people joined the march, which went off without violence. Police put the number at 4,000, though journalists at the scene said at least double that number of protesters had attended.

Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, who unveiled the waterfront project in 2014, has branded the masked men "idiots" for their behaviour, but said the buildings had been scheduled for demolition.

The agreement signed with developer Eagle Hills aims to turn parts of Savamala and surrounding areas into nearly two million square metres (21.5 million square feet) of malls, offices and apartment blocks.

The centrepiece of the project is a 200-metre tall Dubai-style tower.

Backers of the project say it will regenerate a rundown area, while critics allege a lack of transparency and public consultation, fearing the development will be of little benefit to most Serbian citizens.