On the night of January 28th, several students faced an attack in Novi Sad, as reported by students from the Faculty of Philosophy during a blockade in the city.

According to their accounts, a female student sustained serious injuries and is currently at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina.

“She has a dislocated jaw and multiple injuries across her body. Several other students have sustained minor injuries, and medical staff are evaluating the conditions of those attacked,” they shared.

N1 has reported that a medical student who was seriously injured in the attack remains at the Clinical Center of Vojvodina. Another student from the Faculty of Philosophy has been sent home for treatment, as confirmed by peers.

Conversely, a female student informed N1 that two injured students are still receiving care at the facility. She noted that the same group of assailants launched multiple attacks on students throughout the night.

A statement on Instagram described how four men wielding baseball bats pursued a collective of students who were putting up stickers and creating designs around Novi Sad.

The account continues, detailing that the incident began outside the offices of the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, where two students from the Faculty of Medicine affixed a sticker to a trash can.

“Soon after, two unidentified men with short hair and robust physiques emerged from the SNS premises and instantly assaulted the male student. They seized him by the collar and began choking him. The female student managed to film the incident, but the attackers quickly confiscated her phone and deleted the footage,” it elaborated.

According to the statement, the two medical students were able to escape, but the assailants pursued them—initially on foot, then in a Chevrolet, nearly hitting them.

“The attackers, accompanied by two others with baseball bats, later assaulted another group of students near ‘Petefi Šandor’ Elementary School in Novi Sad,” it detailed.

“During this altercation, serious injuries were inflicted on a female student through kicking and punching, while others managed to flee with only minor injuries,” stated the students participating in the blockade in Novi Sad.

Radio Free Europe reported that it has submitted an urgent inquiry to the Clinical Center of Vojvodina and the Serbian Ministry of Internal Affairs regarding these allegations, but no response has been received by the time of publishing.

The students participating in the blockade announced that a protest would be organized that afternoon in Novi Sad to address the violence against students, specifically mentioning the incidents outside the Serbian Progressive Party’s offices, as reported by N1.

Students have been blocking Autokomanda since Monday at 10 AM and indicated that more details about the planned protest would be shared on their official social media channels around noon.

Prosecutor’s Office: Immediate measures required to locate the assailants

Following the attacks on students, the Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Novi Sad has mandated all available measures and actions, including the retrieval of video surveillance footage documenting the incidents and conducting interviews with eyewitnesses and victims.

Regarding the assault on several members of the GK, KS, and VA student groups, the prosecutor’s office stated there are grounds for suspicion of violent behavior and serious bodily harm.

In relation to the attack on the two students from PM and KS near the Serbian Progressive Party premises, the prosecutor’s office declared there are grounds for suspicion of violent behavior, as reported by RFE/RL.

It has been stressed that prompt action is essential to ascertain the identities of the offenders and gather all pertinent evidence without delay.

The Mayor of Novi Sad denounces the attack.

Milan Đurić, the Mayor of Novi Sad, has strongly condemned the assault on students in the city.

“I demand that the police swiftly apprehend the perpetrators and that the prosecution conduct a thorough and efficient investigation, updating the public on its findings,” Đurić stated.

He further expressed his expectation for the attackers to face legal consequences.

“No one should be above the law. Justice must be upheld, and the safety of all citizens needs to be ensured,” he emphasized, urging citizens to exercise restraint.

“I implore everyone to remain dedicated to dialogue and understanding to prevent further escalation and tension,” Đurić concluded.

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