Novi Sad Blockade Assault Trial Continues in September

The trial against four defendants accused of physically assaulting citizens during a blockade in Novi Sad has been adjourned until mid-September. The incident, known as the "Porsche" case, occurred on December 13, 2024, after the defendants allegedly drove through a blockade at Futoška Pijaca with a Porsche and a Maserati before returning to confront the protesters.

During the hearing, the defense requested the identification and questioning of additional witnesses appearing in video recordings of the event. However, the court denied this motion, stating that police had already completed all necessary investigative actions, interviewed numerous witnesses, and compiled extensive video evidence.

To further clarify the circumstances surrounding the attack, the court has ordered a supplementary expert assessment of the video footage for the next hearing. This decision comes after six previous postponements, the most recent being on April 22 due to a defendant's surgical intervention.

Prior to the hearing, citizens gathered in support of the victims, organized by the Mreža zborova Novog Sada (Network of Novi Sad Assemblies). Three of the four accused individuals arrived at the courthouse, with one shouting "Serbia Wins," met by counter-chants of "Studentska Wins" from the gathered crowd.

The four men are accused of clashing with citizens who were blocking the intersection as part of the "Zastani, Srbijo" (Stop, Serbia) action. After driving through the blockade, they allegedly stopped their vehicles and returned on foot to physically assault the protesters. Nemanja Narači, 30, a suspended police officer from Zemun, along with Ognjen Stanković, 29, Stevica Kiš, 27, and Aleksandar Kocić, 32, who are employed by Gradsko Čistoća (City Cleanliness), were arrested shortly after the incident.