Suppressing Opposition: Vucic's Efforts to Stifle Dissent in Serbia
Chaos Erupts in University of Novi Sad as Police Crackdown Intensifies
The University of Novi Sad in northern Serbia descended into chaos on Friday night as police clashed with demonstrators during a peaceful protest.
Spasoje Vulevic, commander of the Special Anti-Terrorist Unit, was removed from his post and is retiring at his own request due to the government's desire for absolute control over the police. Vulevic's dismissal comes after a series of dismissals of other commanders of important units over the past year for failing to show complete loyalty.
The police action was described by Predrag Petrovic, research director of the Belgrade Centre for Security Policy, as a retaliatory assault meant to intimidate opponents of the regime. Petrovic suspects that a purge is underway and the authorities are preparing for a more serious violent confrontation with regime critics.
During the clashes, police used tear gas and stun grenades during the charge, and armored vehicles with police officers patrolled the campus and city center, dispersing groups of citizens. Videos from Friday night show police charging and beating anyone in their path, including students, first-aid volunteers, women, and an elderly man with a cane.
Demonstrators were chased through the streets, with some seeking refuge in the University Rectorate. Police stormed the University Rectorate, keeping a group of students and professors locked inside an amphitheater for several hours and searching them repeatedly.
Interior Minister Ivica Dacic stated that 13 police officers had been injured in a "massive and brutal attack" during which protesters allegedly threw stones and flares. However, Petrovic stated that there had already been excessive use of force by the police in some previous situations and protests.
In response to the police crackdown, students in Novi Sad say they have no choice but to continue their protests. Danilo Erdeljan, a student in Novi Sad, said that repression is not a method that will succeed in permanently or effectively crushing the revolt. Erdeljan believes that the only thing they can do is resist - in any way they know - and they cannot allow things to remain like this in the future as well.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic congratulated the police on a "professionally executed job" and called the demonstrators "cowards and wretches." Petrovic, however, believes that the regime is shifting towards open repression that goes beyond the law and is not stoppable by any institution. He stated that the police should have targeted only those involved in violent incidents, not indiscriminately attacking peaceful demonstrators.
As the situation in Novi Sad remains tense, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the ongoing protests and whether there will be further escalation of violence.
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