One year after clashes in Novi Sad: Pyrotechnics, SNS office vandalism, and a shot fired

A year ago, Serbia witnessed significant protests across multiple cities, marked by intense clashes between anti-government demonstrators and supporters of the ruling party. The city of Novi Sad was the epicenter of the most severe confrontations on this date, resulting in multiple injuries.

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Citizens were then showered with fireworks, but at first, the police did not react.

According to reports, supporters of the ruling party, shielded by police and gendarmerie cordons, allegedly fired pyrotechnics at citizens. This was followed by the vandalism of Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) offices and a shot fired into the air by a member of the elite 'Cobras' unit. N1 reporters described a tense atmosphere with pyrotechnics flying, while police initially appeared to refrain from intervening despite witnessing criminal acts and injuries.

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It's quite bizarre to watch – a cordon stands there while serious crimes are committed behind their backs, and in front of them, citizens are being injured, and they absolutely do not react.

Journalist Uglješa Bokić of 'Danas' expressed bewilderment at the police's inaction while crimes were being committed behind their lines and citizens were being injured. Demonstrators then proceeded to the SNS offices in Novi Sad. Despite another police cordon, authorities reportedly did not intervene when projectiles were allegedly launched from within the party premises. The president of the SNS, Miloš Vučević, was reportedly inside the offices at the time.

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They have pistols, they have weapons, they have everything.

During the events, a member of the 'Cobras' unit, tasked with protecting the former Prime Minister, drew a pistol. This moment was captured in a photograph that later won an award for Press Photo Serbia. Photojournalist Andrej Hložan described the intense adrenaline and fear he experienced capturing the image, recognizing its significance amid the unfolding events. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić later claimed the actions constituted a multiple attempted murder and criticized the judiciary for perceived inaction.

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At one moment, a man pulls out a pistol, pulls out that ballistic blanket. Everyone flees, I turn around and see that I am practically alone and just tell myself - you have to capture this, this is very important, you need this. I captured it, and after 15-20 minutes I calmed down and then I started crying, because after such a dose of adrenaline, I wasn't even aware that my life was threatened.