Valjevo remembers police brutality: Protest marks one year since alleged violence

Valjevo, Serbia – A protest rally filled the streets of Valjevo on Friday evening, marking one year since a wave of alleged police brutality. Student activists called for the demonstration, drawing a large crowd that marched through the city center. Protesters expressed their anger by blowing whistles and jeering as they passed the local police station.

The main event took place at an intersection, where speakers included a university student and a former police lieutenant colonel. They condemned the violence allegedly used by officers against demonstrators, including minors, during protests on the night of August 14-15, 2025. The march concluded at the site of the most severe violence, where participants marked specific spots with red paint where people were reportedly beaten.

Student activists highlighted that the night saw violent clashes between police and demonstrators, resulting in significant injuries. The protests initially began on August 14, 2025, to peacefully oppose an attack on local resident Vladimir Mihailovic, who suffered a permanent hand injury and required medical attention. To date, no one has been held accountable for that assault.

Video footage from the following night showed riot police using batons and force against citizens, including individuals already on the ground. Residents expressed deep bitterness, especially as the operation was reportedly commanded by a local officer. The students noted that legal teams representing victims filed criminal complaints against 28 individuals and several unidentified officers for suspected unlawful conduct. The Serbian government stated in August 2025 that responsibility must be established but also condemned violence against police.

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The public was particularly disturbed by a video showing a group of officers surrounding a 15-year-old boy lying on the pavement. These recordings became the most vital evidence for the public to see what truly happened that night.