Ruling Party Supporters Attack Student Protesters

Serbia is witnessing a nationwide wave of protests following an incident in which supporters of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party (SNS) assaulted student demonstrators.

On the evening of February 16, students and citizens conducting a peaceful protest in Novi Sad were attacked by SNS supporters, leaving at least three people injured with head and facial wounds. Students from the University of Novi Sad Faculty of Technical Sciences characterized the attack as "thug violence" and criticized police for failing to protect the demonstrators.

Solidarity Protests Spread Across Cities

The day following the assault, on the evening of the 17th, solidarity protests erupted in Belgrade and several other cities. In Belgrade's Novi Beograd district, multiple protest groups converged on Ušće Park, where police deployed large-scale riot equipment and conducted identity checks and arrests of demonstrators.

In Niš, citizens organized a march condemning the violence and criticizing authorities' lack of response. Hundreds also gathered in Valjevo and Kraljevo to express support for students and demand an end to attacks on protesters.

In Novi Sad, protests were held that afternoon, with organizers calling for a new rally to be held on campus on Wednesday.

Background of the Incident and Eyewitness Accounts

The assault occurred while SNS leader Miloš Vučević was attending a ceremony at the Serbian National Theatre in Novi Sad marking the 200th anniversary of the founding of Matica Srpska. Student and civic groups organized protests in response to this event, which led to clashes with ruling party supporters.

One student eyewitness told N1 broadcaster: "The attackers started pushing and hitting us. When one colleague was attacked, I tried to protect them, but they attacked all of us." Journalists were also reportedly among those targeted.

Ruling party supporters at the scene were reported to have engaged in verbal abuse as well, hurling insults at protesters by calling them "Ustaše" (Croatian fascists).

Ongoing Resistance Following Novi Sad Railway Station Collapse

These protests are a continuation of large-scale anti-government demonstrations that have persisted since the November 1, 2024 collapse of a canopy at Novi Sad railway station. That incident resulted in multiple casualties and sparked a nationwide movement led by students demanding accountability from a corrupt regime and restoration of the rule of law.

Students have adopted the slogan "We are not punching bags" and are committed to continuing their fight against government violence and inaction.