Tensions escalated in Novi Pazar, Serbia, when police clashed with anti-government protesters following the alleged forced eviction of students from a university building. The students had been occupying the building for several months as part of a nationwide movement against the government.
In the early hours of that morning, between 3 a.m. and 4 a.m., unidentified individuals, reportedly affiliated with a private security firm from Kraljevo, entered the state university building. They were accompanied by university officials during the eviction. The students, who had been peacefully protesting inside the building, shared videos on social media showing the late-night intervention.
The eviction sparked immediate outrage among the local community. Hundreds of protesters gathered outside the university, chanting slogans against President Aleksandar Vucic and demanding the students’ return to the building. The situation quickly escalated when protesters threw bottles at the police, who responded with batons and shields. Despite the confrontations, the police eventually withdrew, allowing the students to declare a “victory.”
This incident is part of a broader wave of student-led demonstrations that have been ongoing since November 2024. The protests were initially ignited by a tragic train station collapse in Novi Sad, which resulted in 16 fatalities. Many citizens attributed the disaster to alleged corruption in state-run infrastructure projects. In response to the growing unrest, President Vucic has intensified pressure on universities to curb the protests, viewing them as a challenge to his increasingly authoritarian rule.
Novi Pazar, located approximately 300 kilometers southwest of Belgrade, is a multi-ethnic town with a significant Bosniak Muslim majority. The region has a complex history marked by ethnic tensions, particularly between Bosniak Muslims and Serbs, stemming from conflicts in the 1990s following the breakup of the former Yugoslavia. The student-led protests in April were seen as a significant step toward bridging these ethnic divides, highlighting the potential for unity in the region.
Despite the government’s efforts to suppress the demonstrations, including the recent eviction in Novi Pazar, the protests continue. Students and citizens are demanding early parliamentary elections and greater accountability from the government. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing debates about the balance between maintaining public order and respecting the right to peaceful assembly.
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