In Novi Sad, ten people were arrested in two separate police operations, including the dean of the Medical Faculty Snežana Brkić and five other employees, on suspicion of financial abuse and damage to the state budget of approximately 1.5 million euros. Charges include money laundering, abuse of official position, and tax evasion. Additionally, four individuals were arrested for disturbances at an illegal gathering where they threw flour and eggs at the premises of the Serbian Progressive Party. The dean was released from custody, and the investigation is ongoing. The academic community points to intimidation and supports demands for university autonomy. Media across different political spectrums report on the arrests, emphasizing corruption, legal proceedings, and political tensions related to student protests and blockades.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning media emphasize the systemic issues of corruption within academic institutions and the state, highlighting the financial abuses and the impact on public funds. They also focus on the repression and intimidation of the academic community and students, portraying the arrests as part of a broader political struggle over university autonomy and democratic rights.
Center: Centrist outlets report the facts of the arrests and charges, focusing on the legal process and the ongoing investigation. They present the events as serious allegations of financial misconduct while also noting the political context of student protests and the response of authorities, maintaining a balanced tone without strong political bias.
Right: Right-leaning media highlight the law enforcement actions against corruption and criminal behavior, supporting the police and judiciary’s efforts to uphold the law. They emphasize the illegal activities of the arrested individuals and the disruption caused by student protests, often framing the events as necessary measures to restore order and discipline within academic institutions.