Vučić’s Regime in Panic: The Arrest of Danilo Marunović as a Sign of Fear of Freedom
Welcome to Serbia in 2025, where Aleksandar Vučić’s regime spares no effort to silence every voice it dislikes. The latest victim? Montenegrin director and columnist Danilo Marunović, who was brutally arrested on a Friday morning in Belgrade, in his hotel room, by agents of the Security-Information Agency (BIA).
What Happened?
Marunović was in Belgrade for the guest performance of the play “Gospoda Glembajevi” at the National Theatre. Instead of enjoying the art, he was met with BIA agents storming his hotel room at 9 a.m., after which he was taken for a several-hour-long informational interview. After the questioning, with no clear explanation, he was deported from Serbia.
Why Was He Arrested?
Official reasons remain unclear, but it is speculated that the cause was his critical column against Vučić’s regime, published on the Analitika portal. The regime apparently decided not to tolerate any criticism, not even artistic freedom. Montenegro’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the act as unacceptable and damaging to good neighborly relations, demanding urgent explanations from Serbia.
Reactions and Consequences
The theatre troupe, led by actor Svetozar Cvetković, decided to perform the play despite the director’s deportation. Cvetković emphasized on stage that the work cannot be deported, and the audience greeted his speech with a long applause. Opposition parties in Montenegro condemned the act and called for government reaction.
Renowned Belgrade lawyer Borivoje Borović called the arrest a “great shame of Serbian authorities” and expressed confidence that Vučić’s regime will soon end, thanks to the courage of students and citizens.
What Does This Say About Serbia Today?
This case is just the tip of the iceberg of repression and control that Vučić’s regime exerts over freedom of expression. Every critical voice, every artistic freedom, every independent thought becomes a target. Serbia is turning into a country where artists and intellectuals are monitored, intimidated, and expelled.
Students and Citizens Under Fire
Vučić recently stated he expects violence at upcoming protests and called on the youth to protect Serbia, while the regime shows it spares no effort to suppress any form of dissent. Students have already shown they are not afraid, and according to Borović, they are the key to correcting this shame.
Conclusion
The arrest of Danilo Marunović is not just an attack on one artist, but on artistic freedom, freedom of speech, and democracy in Serbia. As Vučić’s regime continues to silence every voice it dislikes, citizens and artists must ask themselves: how far will this go? Will Serbia become a country of fear and censorship, or will it fight for freedom?
If you have an opinion on this scandal, or maybe a good joke about how the regime tries to control art, feel free to share in the comments. Let the voice of reason and humor be heard, because sometimes laughter is the best medicine against the madness of power.
