Belgrade and Niš Under Siege: Students Kidnapped, Streets Blocked!
Tonight in Belgrade and Niš, a real-life drama is unfolding that looks like a state terror movie — but sadly, this is Serbia in 2024. Students, those young people who should be the future of our country, are being violently detained, kidnapped, and taken away without any explanation or official identification.
Who is Dimitrije and why was he arrested? Dimitrije Stefanović, a student at the Faculty of Philosophy in Niš, was forcibly shoved into an Opel Astra car with Belgrade license plates and driven off in an unknown direction. No one knows where he is. He was not shown any ID, nor was the reason for his arrest explained. Dimitrije is an active participant in student blockades, known for his activism and fight for student rights. This is not the first time he has been detained — he has previously been targeted for his activism.
A similar fate befell Dimitrije Dimić, a law student from Niš, who was also forcibly taken to a police station in New Belgrade without any legal basis or explanation.
Protests and Blockades: Cities in Revolt Following these arrests, thousands of citizens gathered in front of the Palace of Justice in Belgrade, blocking Savska Street and Autokomanda. Chants like “Resign!”, “Arrest Vučić!”, and “Free Them All!” echo through the streets. Protesters are determined not to let Serbia become another Belarus under a repressive regime.
Police are on the ground, ready to break up demonstrations, while citizens set up tents and build barricades. Students and citizens call for solidarity and civil disobedience, demanding the immediate release of all detainees.
Official Charges and Reactions The Higher Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade announced that six students were arrested on suspicion of preparing a criminal act against the constitutional order and security of Serbia, specifically calling for violent change of government. However, students and their supporters claim the charges are fabricated and politically motivated.
Opposition figures like Srđan Milivojević and Aleksandar Ivanović sharply condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of the students. Milivojević stated that “Vučić is waging war against his own people” and that “the will of one man cannot be stronger than the desire of millions to live in freedom.”
What’s Really Going On? It’s clear the Serbian government is using repression to crush student and civic dissent. Arrests without warrants, kidnappings in plain clothes, unexplained detentions — all tactics of authoritarian regimes. Students are fighting for change, but instead of dialogue, they get beatings and jail.
Niš is especially targeted, where students have blocked faculties and called for resistance. The message is clear: “Niš is not a playground for your violence!” Citizens gathered in front of the basic court in Niš in protest, showing that support for students is not just among youth but across society.
Conclusion: Fight for the Future or Repression Without Limits? This situation is a wake-up call for all of us. Will we allow students, our future, to be treated like criminals? Will we stay silent while rights are crushed and freedoms vanish? Serbia stands at a crossroads — it will either continue down the path of repression and fear or wake up and stand with its young fighters for justice.
Got thoughts on this? Maybe you were at the protests? Drop a comment below. Who knows, your words might just spark a revolution!
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