Serbian Student Arrested Amidst Protest Crackdown Fears

The arrest of student Milan Đorđević, seven days after he was identified during a protest in Kraljevo, raises serious concerns about the authorities' intentions. While officially charged with violent conduct at a public gathering, his lawyer, Vladimir Beočanin, asserts this is a clear case of political pressure aimed at intimidating students before their major demonstration in Belgrade on May 23rd.

“

I think this is pressure before the big student rally in Belgrade...

This incident, occurring after a protest dubbed 'Students are Winning,' where Đorđević allegedly clashed with supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS), highlights a pattern of using legal means to stifle dissent. The lawyer points out the lack of concrete evidence, such as the use of pepper spray or causing injuries, to substantiate the charges. The seven-day delay in the arrest further fuels suspicion that this is not about justice, but about preemptive suppression.

“

He is charged with the criminal offense of violent conduct at a public gathering. At that rally, which the students reported as ‘Students are Winning,’ SNS supporters appeared with the intention to provoke.

From our perspective at N1 Serbia, this is not just about one student; it's about the broader climate of political tension and the shrinking space for public assembly. The authorities' actions seem designed to create a chilling effect, discouraging participation in the upcoming Belgrade protest. We will continue to monitor this situation closely, providing factual reporting on the events and the students' fight for their rights.

“

According to the evidence presented to me, I cannot conclude that he committed the criminal offense he is charged with.