Police

Psychological warfare in Serbia: Nearly 1,000 detained without convictions

The grassroots initiative “Release them ALL!” has published a database showing that since November 1, 2024, over 900 people have been detained. On the other hand, the number of criminal convictions is negligible. Mašina spoke with Lawyers Rodoljub Šabić and Ivan Ninić on this phenomenon. The vast majority of these arrests are resolved within 48 hours, often without indictments being filed – which the initiative believes serves as a way to exhaust and intimidate protestors. The full database is available at this link.

Police Crackdown in Novi Sad and the Death of University Autonomy

Once again, tear gas, arrests, and beatings characterized Friday’s protest in Novi Sad. Under the slogan “Serbia, can you hear us?” protesters marched to the Faculty of Philosophy, where police had been stationed for ten days but have since dispersed. Approximately 20,000 people attended the protest, according to the Archive of Public Gatherings, which has catalyzed a new wave of protests including one today called by students today in downtown Belgrade.

Masked Men Violently Evict Students in Novi Pazar; Students Retake Building

All day, police blocked the entrance to the State University in Novi Pazar (DUNP), a Muslim-majority city in southeastern Serbia. In the early hours this morning, masked individuals forcibly removed student protesters from the building, leaving one student injured. As students from across the country flocked in support, students regained access to the building and chanted “Victory!” Citizens are now organizing protest blockades across the country in solidarity.