Belgrade Students Protest Police After Alleged Attack by Ruling Party Activists

The final day of school for the graduating class of the Sixth Belgrade Gymnasium was marred by a protest outside the police station, as students sought answers for what they describe as a violent confrontation with activists of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS).

According to the students, the incident occurred near their school when SNS activists, carrying a banner, marched towards their party's local committee. The students allege that when they attempted to block the path with dumpsters, SNS activists attacked them, including a 15-year-old girl, while police stood by. "They are hooligans, not people," one student was heard saying on a video, expressing outrage at the alleged police inaction.

“

They are hooligans, not people, a 15-year-old girl... they are not people.

However, the SNS presents a starkly different narrative. Their statement claims their activists were the ones attacked and that the students were manipulated. They accuse the protesting groups of orchestrating a 'pyromaniacal rampage' and acting on 'political orders from opposition blockers.' This starkly contrasting account highlights the deep political divisions and the intense information war surrounding such events in Serbia.

From our perspective at N1, the students' decision to protest outside the police station, rather than celebrate, underscores the gravity of their claims. It is deeply concerning that minors allege physical assault and that the presence of law enforcement did not deter the violence. This situation raises critical questions about the safety of students and the role of political parties in public spaces, particularly when such incidents are met with conflicting official statements and accusations of manipulation. The Serbian public is left to navigate these opposing versions, a common occurrence in our media landscape where political influence often shapes the narrative.

“

It was only thanks to the composure and responsibility of our colleagues that a serious incident was avoided and pyromaniacal rampage was prevented, which is increasingly becoming the hallmark of those hiding behind so-called 'rallies', but in reality are carrying out political orders of opposition blockers.