Serbian professor: Citizens lost trust in police; university faces political retribution

Smiljana Milinkov, a professor at the University of Novi Sad's Faculty of Philosophy, has voiced strong criticism of Serbia's police force, stating that citizens have "completely lost trust" in its ability to serve them. She described the police as being "against citizens," citing instances of brutality and excessive force, particularly in Novi Sad. Milinkov also raised concerns about suspected collusion between criminals and the police, calling it "unacceptable" for a democratic society.

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Novi Sad is a broken and wounded city, but a free city. The people of Novi Sad have been slapped, both physically and metaphorically, but they are persistent, brave, consistent, defiant, and willing to persevere in this fight.

Milinkov argued that the erosion of public trust in law enforcement signifies a departure from democratic principles, urging citizens to reflect on the situation. She pointed to recent events involving police leadership, suggesting attempts to evade responsibility and downplay serious issues, potentially framing them as mere "business conflicts" rather than the actions of criminal groups.

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what is most painful is what we are witnessing: that we, as citizens, have completely lost trust in the police.

Beyond law enforcement, Milinkov also addressed the situation at the University of Novi Sad, characterizing recent events as "political retribution." She stated that individuals who speak out against societal problems or offer critical perspectives face repercussions, including job loss, detention, or targeting. Milinkov specifically referenced the non-reappointment of professors Jelena Kleut and Vladimir Mihić, despite their fulfillment of academic criteria, as examples of this alleged political retaliation.

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If citizens in a society lose trust in the police, it is absolutely no longer a democratic society, and that is the fundamental reason why we must all think.