On this World News Day, for too many people, the future is getting too dark to see. This moment is best described as living in a state of perpetual flux, of global uncertainty and deep, unsettling insecurity.
On this World News Day, for too many people, the future is getting too dark to see. This moment is best described as living in a state of perpetual flux, of global uncertainty and deep, unsettling insecurity.
Bogdan Jovičić, a student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, had been on a hunger strike for 12 days and is currently in the Special Prison Hospital in Belgrade. He is reportedly in stable condition, according to the Administration for the Implementation of Criminal Sanctions. Serbian President Vučić referred to Jovičić as a “hooligan” and claimed to not know that the student had been shackled while attending his father’s funeral, as seen in a viral photograph.
Bogdan Jovičić, a student at the Faculty of Technical Sciences in Novi Sad, had been on a hunger strike for 12 days and is currently in the Special Prison Hospital in Belgrade. He is reportedly in stable condition, according to the Administration for the Implementation of Criminal Sanctions. Serbian President Vučić referred to Jovičić as a “hooligan” and claimed to not know that the student had been shackled while attending his father’s funeral, as seen in a viral photograph.
Amid the ongoing social crisis in Serbia, which has lasted for over ten months, the Vučić government has decided to hold the largest military parade in the country’s history. According to retired military officer Petar Bošković, who spoke with Mašina, despite the enormous amount of resources spent on this parade, it would be incorrect to assume that it will be the best ever.
Amid the ongoing social crisis in Serbia, which has lasted for over ten months, the Vučić government has decided to hold the largest military parade in the country’s history. According to retired military officer Petar Bošković, who spoke with Mašina, despite the enormous amount of resources spent on this parade, it would be incorrect to assume that it will be the best ever.
The grassroots initiative “Release them ALL!” has published a database showing that since November 1, 2024, over 900 people have been detained. On the other hand, the number of criminal convictions is negligible. Mašina spoke with Lawyers Rodoljub Šabić and Ivan Ninić on this phenomenon. The vast majority of these arrests are resolved within 48 hours, often without indictments being filed – which the initiative believes serves as a way to exhaust and intimidate protestors. The full database is available at this link.
The grassroots initiative “Release them ALL!” has published a database showing that since November 1, 2024, over 900 people have been detained. On the other hand, the number of criminal convictions is negligible. Mašina spoke with Lawyers Rodoljub Šabić and Ivan Ninić on this phenomenon. The vast majority of these arrests are resolved within 48 hours, often without indictments being filed – which the initiative believes serves as a way to exhaust and intimidate protestors. The full database is available at this link.
An independent laboratory analysis conducted by students of the Faculty of Sciences (PMF) in Novi Sad shows that at a protest on September 5, police officers deployed chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, known as CN gas. CN gas is a more dangerous variant than the usual tear gas, chloroacetophenone which is known as CS gas.
An independent laboratory analysis conducted by students of the Faculty of Sciences (PMF) in Novi Sad shows that at a protest on September 5, police officers deployed chlorobenzylidenemalononitrile, known as CN gas. CN gas is a more dangerous variant than the usual tear gas, chloroacetophenone which is known as CS gas.
In this interview, historian and translator Professor John K. Cox, a professor at North Dakota State University, shares his insights on the current political landscape in the U.S. and its parallels with recent events in Serbia.
In this interview, historian and translator Professor John K. Cox, a professor at North Dakota State University, shares his insights on the current political landscape in the U.S. and its parallels with recent events in Serbia.
Once again, tear gas, arrests, and beatings characterized Friday's protest in Novi Sad. Under the slogan “Serbia, can you hear us?" protesters marched to the Faculty of Philosophy, where police had been stationed for ten days but have since dispersed. Approximately 20,000 people attended the protest, according to the Archive of Public Gatherings, at which hundreds of people endured beatings, tear gas, and were arrested.
Once again, tear gas, arrests, and beatings characterized Friday’s protest in Novi Sad. Under the slogan “Serbia, can you hear us?” protesters marched to the Faculty of Philosophy, where police had been stationed for ten days but have since dispersed. Approximately 20,000 people attended the protest, according to the Archive of Public Gatherings, which has catalyzed a new wave of protests including one today called by students today in downtown Belgrade.
Almost 90 percent of young people in Serbia support student protests and university blockades, and more than 90 percent would vote in parliamentary elections if they were held next week, according to the Alternative Report on the Position and Needs of Youth 2025. However, 62 percent believe that elections are neither free nor fair, while as many as 95 percent negatively assess the government’s response to student demonstrations.
Almost 90 percent of young people in Serbia support student protests and university blockades, and more than 90 percent would vote in parliamentary elections if they were held next week, according to the Alternative Report on the Position and Needs of Youth 2025. However, 62 percent believe that elections are neither free nor fair, while as many as 95 percent negatively assess the government’s response to student demonstrations.
From admiration for the student movement to criticism of nationalist symbols during the Vidovdan protest, foreign media coverage of events in Serbia since November 1 of last year has gone through different phases. Judging by the latest headlines, however, autocrat Aleksandar Vučić is running out of room to maneuver. The country he leads is sinking deeper into chaos, and Europe is being urged to increase pressure on his regime in Belgrade.
From admiration for the student movement to criticism of nationalist symbols during the Vidovdan protest, foreign media coverage of events in Serbia since November 1 of last year has gone through different phases. Judging by the latest headlines, however, autocrat Aleksandar Vučić is running out of room to maneuver. The country he leads is sinking deeper into chaos, and Europe is being urged to increase pressure on his regime in Belgrade.
Recent protests across Serbia have often been described in the media and on social networks as a “civil war.” But political scientists, security experts, and historians interviewed by Mašina explain why the current state in Serbia cannot be described as a civil war, as they address what we are actually witnessing, and what is lies beneath the escalated repression.
Recent protests across Serbia have often been described in the media and on social networks as a “civil war.” But political scientists, security experts, and historians interviewed by Mašina explain why the current state in Serbia cannot be described as a civil war, as they address what we are actually witnessing, and what is lies beneath the escalated repression.
Tear gas, smoke bombs, police beatings, and the military. The second day of mass protests in Serbia has been marked by arrests, police brutality, attacks on journalists and government impunity. However, citizens do not appear to be backing down. What exactly has transpired on the streets of Serbia these past three days?
Tear gas, smoke bombs, police beatings, and the military. The second day of mass protests in Serbia has been marked by arrests, police brutality, attacks on journalists and government impunity. However, citizens do not appear to be backing down. What exactly has transpired on the streets of Serbia these past three days?
All day, police blocked the entrance to the State University in Novi Pazar (DUNP), a Muslim-majority city in southeastern Serbia. In the early hours this morning, masked individuals forcibly removed student protesters from the building, leaving one student injured. As students from across the country flocked in support, students regained access to the building and chanted "Victory!" Citizens are now organizing protest blockades across the country in solidarity.
All day, police blocked the entrance to the State University in Novi Pazar (DUNP), a Muslim-majority city in southeastern Serbia. In the early hours this morning, masked individuals forcibly removed student protesters from the building, leaving one student injured. As students from across the country flocked in support, students regained access to the building and chanted “Victory!” Citizens are now organizing protest blockades across the country in solidarity.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade has announced that it has given an order to the First Instance Public Prosecutor’s Office to form a case regarding the alleged misappropriation of property from the Student Cultural Center.
The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade has announced that it has given an order to the First Instance Public Prosecutor’s Office to form a case regarding the alleged misappropriation of property from the Student Cultural Center.
Dean of the Faculty of Philology Iva Draškić Vićanović gave the students that were blockading the building until 4pm to leave the building, stating that the reason is the entrance exam taking place there. Students have asked the citizens to join them in a support rally at 3pm outside of the institution in question.
Dean of the Faculty of Philology Iva Draškić Vićanović gave the students that were blockading the building until 4pm to leave the building, stating that the reason is the entrance exam taking place there. Students have asked the citizens to join them in a support rally at 3pm outside of the institution in question.
The Freed SKC initiative reports that, this morning, the police and SKC admin broke into the freed building of SKC in the Kralj Milan 48 street.
The Freed SKC initiative reports that, this morning, the police and SKC admin broke into the freed building of SKC in the Kralj Milan 48 street.
The government’s tactic of pretending not to notice civil rebellion and a comprehensive social and political crisis, i.e. to play the waiting game over a long period of time has, at least it appears so, started to work. Summer’s begun, the intensity of protests has gone down, the students are slowly returning to their academic duties. Despite everything though, small fires of resistance are continuing to ignite, mostly on the local level. What remains is the question of how to continue, that is, how to fulfill the main demand put before the regime – the calling of snap parliamentary elections?
The government’s tactic of pretending not to notice civil rebellion and a comprehensive social and political crisis, i.e. to play the waiting game over a long period of time has, at least it appears so, started to work. Summer’s begun, the intensity of protests has gone down, the students are slowly returning to their academic duties. Despite everything though, small fires of resistance are continuing to ignite, mostly on the local level. What remains is the question of how to continue, that is, how to fulfill the main demand put before the regime – the calling of snap parliamentary elections?
Despite the administration denying it, the destruction of the Belgrade fair complex has unofficially begun. Students have called on citizens to gather in front of Sajam on 17th of July, so they could, as they state, stop “the destruction of another symbol of our city.” During the action, police detained one student and two citizens.
Despite the administration denying it, the destruction of the Belgrade fair complex has unofficially begun. Students have called on citizens to gather in front of Sajam on 17th of July, so they could, as they state, stop “the destruction of another symbol of our city.” During the action, police detained one student and two citizens.
Classes are formally starting, quotas have been approved, and entrance exams set. In some places, online classes are being met with boycotts while university students are met with repression. Still, the fight for autonomy of universities and a just society is not stopping with the instatement of online classes – it’s just transforming.
Classes are formally starting, quotas have been approved, and entrance exams set. In some places, online classes are being met with boycotts while university students are met with repression. Still, the fight for autonomy of universities and a just society is not stopping with the instatement of online classes – it’s just transforming.
The magistrates’ court in Užice accepted the appeal of the defenders of the arrested and granted bail for the seven arrested last week in Užice
The magistrates’ court in Užice accepted the appeal of the defenders of the arrested and granted bail for the seven arrested last week in Užice
30 days of detention have been ordered for nine residents of the western city of Užice following protests during which citizens broke through the police cordon. Ahead of the St. Vitus protest on June 28, police detained eight other individuals and accused them of planning to potentially "undermining the constitutional order" – in other words, terrorism. Seven of them received the same sentence as those from Užice. In total, 16 people are currently behind bars, three of whom are students. Through this move, the Serbian government demonstrated its intent to again apply the methods it used in Novi Sad, where six activists were detained on similar charges in March 2025. However, as it turns out, the public’s response to such heightened repression and oppression is heightened resistance.
30 days of detention have been ordered for nine residents of the western city of Užice following protests during which citizens broke through the police cordon. Ahead of the St. Vitus protest on June 28, police detained eight other individuals and accused them of planning to potentially “undermining the constitutional order” – in other words, terrorism. Seven of them received the same sentence as those from Užice. In total, 16 people are currently behind bars, three of whom are students. Through this move, the Serbian government demonstrated its intent to again apply the methods it used in Novi Sad, where six activists were detained on similar charges in March 2025. However, as it turns out, the public’s response to such heightened repression and oppression is heightened resistance.
“No one is tired!” can be heard, almost by default, at every protest, blockade or organized action of civil disobedience across Serbia. Citizens, fueled by the student movement’s energy, use this slogan to make it clear to the current regime that no extreme heat, increased repression or eight months of relentless struggle will stop them. The question that remains is – how?
“No one is tired!” can be heard, almost by default, at every protest, blockade or organized action of civil disobedience across Serbia. Citizens, fueled by the student movement’s energy, use this slogan to make it clear to the current regime that no extreme heat, increased repression or eight months of relentless struggle will stop them. The question that remains is – how?
