Student Claims 'Seventh Victory' as Protest Case Continues in Serbia

Student Andrej Tanko has attended his seventh court hearing in Pančevo, expressing frustration and confusion over the ongoing legal process. Tanko is accused of actions during a protest on August 13, where he allegedly attempted to break a police cordon and sprayed officers with an unknown liquid, which the defense maintains was merely water.

The indictment has since been amended, changing the charge from assaulting an official to obstructing an official in the performance of their duties. Tanko, who spent three months under house arrest, stated after the hearing, "Seventh hearing, seventh consecutive victory. As I said before, it seems the prosecution is absolutely unable to prove my guilt, and it is still unclear to me what we are doing here."

The trial has drawn support from students, citizens, and activists who gather outside the courthouse. Tanko's lawyer, Srđan Miković, described the process as chaotic and believes the police administration is heavily influencing the proceedings. The court has also ordered a psychiatric evaluation of Tanko to assess his propensity for violent behavior, a move Tanko believes is intended to muddy the waters of the case.