site.btaSerbian Police Use Pepper Spray Against Protesters in Novi Sad, Again

Serbian police have once again used pepper spray against students and citizens protesting in front of the courthouse in the northern city of Novi Sad, local media reported on Friday. Protesters blocked access to the courthouse for a second day in a row in opposition to the 30-day extension of the detention of six civil activists and students. Pepper spray was also used during clashes with police on Thursday, according to N1 television, citing one of the protesting students.

On Thursday, Serbian students and other members of the public gathered in front of the court and prosecution service building in Novi Sad to demand the release of six activists from two organizations (Movement of Free Citizens and Students Against Authoritarian Rule). The activists were arrested two months ago on charges of violating the country's constitutional order. Their arrest was extended by another month, as reported by Serbian media.

One of the detainees, high school teacher Marija Vasic, refused to take food and water for 50 days in protest against the extended detention. Due to serious health complications, she is now being treated in a hospital in Belgrade, public service broadcaster RTS reported.

The rally was chanting "Serbia" and "Release everyone". Several incidents involving clashes with police occurred during the unrest, while protesters were trying to block the four entrances to the courthouse. One student told N1 television that pepper spray had been used on the protesters.

The charges are based on an audio recording that was released by several pro-government media in Serbia on March 14, on the eve of a big anti-government protest in Belgrade. Lawyers for the defendants argue that Serbia's Security Intelligence Agency illegally wiretapped this conversation, which is why it cannot be admitted as legally valid evidence in court.

Two opposition MPs from the Democratic Party, Srdjan Milivojevic and Dragana Rakic, chained and padlocked the courthouse entrance in Novi Sad in protest. "Justice is already shackled," the party wrote on its Instagram profile.

Milivojevic, a prominent opposition figure, is also one of the founders of the student movement Otpor, which led the protests that brought down former Yugoslav leader Slobodan Milosevic in 2000.

The courthouse in Novi Sad is currently being guarded by police and gendarmerie, RTS reported.

On November 1, 2024, a concrete canopy at the railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, which led to 16 fatalities. The tragedy sparked a wave of social discontent in Serbia with protests, civil disobedience and blockades, mainly organized by students, blocking some 60 colleges in the country. The protesters allege that corruption has eroded the Serbian government, which was the reason behind the low quality of the reconstruction of the Novi Sad railway station. They demand that everyone responsible for the tragedy should be held politically and criminally accountable.

In early May, the students called for early parliamentary elections and announced that they would not run for parliament but would support a list of candidates who have not been part of the political life of the country yet.