Avala Tower Management Denounces Banner Display as Political Misuse

The Avala Tower management has strongly condemned the unauthorized display of a "Students are winning" banner atop the iconic Belgrade landmark. In a statement released via Instagram, the management and "Emisiona tehnika i veze" d.o.o. labeled the act a "misuse of the symbol of Belgrade and Serbia for political promotion and media manipulation." They emphasized that the individuals involved were adults, not actual students, who had planned the action meticulously. Security camera footage reportedly shows the group entering as tourists, concealing the banner in bags, and coordinating with an external team using a drone for filming. The management stated the banner was displayed briefly for media impact before being removed.

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We most strongly condemn the misuse of the symbol of Belgrade and Serbia for political promotion and media manipulation.

This incident highlights the ongoing tensions and protests in Serbia, where student groups have been vocal about various issues. The "Students are winning" slogan has appeared in multiple locations across Belgrade and other cities in recent days. The management's firm stance underscores a desire to protect national symbols from what they perceive as politically motivated exploitation. The swift condemnation and detailed explanation of the security breach aim to discredit the protesters' narrative and prevent further such actions.

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It is important to emphasize that students did not participate in the incident, as is being falsely presented in parts of the public, but rather adults who systematically carried out this action, misusing visitor status.

The management's statement also pointed out the use of a "Serbia is winning" banner at the end of the video, a slogan frequently used by supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). This juxtaposition suggests an attempt to frame the student protest as a politically charged event, potentially co-opting or distorting their message. The management's detailed account of the security breach, including the use of drones and hidden banners, serves to delegitimize the protest and portray it as a staged media stunt rather than a genuine student expression.

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The entire action lasted only a few moments and had exclusively the goal of a media performance.