Tonight, residents of Niš targeted the city’s mayor, Dragoslav Pavlović, with eggs and water.

A video capturing the event circulated on social media.

Note: Video contains inappropriate language

The protest, staged by students and residents of Niš, concluded around 8 PM after a meeting of local and municipal officials from the Serbian Progressive Party at the Officers’ House, which finished around 7:30 PM.

Unofficial reports indicate that key figures, including Serbian Progressive Party President Miloš Vučević, Belgrade SNS Committee Chair Ana Brnabić, and SNS Executive Board Head Darko Glišić, did not attend the meeting, as reported by Beta.

During the meeting, Mayor Dragoslav Pavlović informed attendees of the absence of the SNS leader, attributing it to “a significant security risk.”

The protest, organized in response to the anticipated arrival of SNS officials from Belgrade, occurred without incident, featuring extensive security measures with numerous members of the Gendarmerie and police present at the park outside the Officers’ House and adjacent streets.

The Officers’ housing facility in Niš was encircled by a metal fence, preventing anyone from coming within 150 meters.

Despite the distance, protesters managed to throw eggs at Serbian Progressive Party members arriving for a meeting along 7. Jula Street, attempting to do so from the opposite bank of the Nišava River.

Following the conclusion of the meeting, members faced egg-throwing, including Mayor Dragoslav Pavlović.

Throughout the gathering, attendees used whistles and vuvuzelas, chanting slogans such as “SNS mafia,” “Vučić is leaving,” and “dads, dads.”

Emergency services were called on two occasions, first for a man who fell ill and then for a woman in need of assistance.

Demands for the student’s release

Student Mateja Nikolić was arrested tonight after sharing a video on social media showing Mayor Pavlović being drenched with water, according to N1. As per a reporter for the outlet, there is no official explanation for his detention, though it likely relates to the video.

Earlier, students announced their colleague’s arrest, expressing uncertainty about his whereabouts.

Gathering outside the police station were students and opposition MPs, including Jelena Milošević and Ana Eraković, as reported by Južne vesti.

Lawyer Dragana Milutinović, among the gathered group, requested entry into the police station to defend Nikolić but was denied access, as per N1.

A crowd formed, prompting police to establish a perimeter at the entrance. After initially denying his presence inside, the police acknowledged Nikolić was in custody. The students are demanding his release.

“Police will apprehend those responsible”

The Serbian Ministry of Interior reported a “serious breach of public order and peace” tonight in Niš.

“Violence committed by supporters of student blockade protests and opposition parties resulted in injuries to dozens, including Danijela Krstić and Tamara Milić, who were struck with stones, as well as an attack on Mayor Dragoslav Pavlović,” the statement noted.

The police stated they will act in accordance with the law to arrest anyone responsible for violating public order and peace.

Vučić: Bullies will face justice

President Aleksandar Vučić addressed residents from a hotel in Niš, expressing that in 13 years, he had never encountered such anger and bitterness as he did tonight.

He remarked that Serbia “didn’t deserve this.”

“Something occurred in Niš tonight that I thought couldn’t happen in our country. Ordinary citizens wishing to attend a public meeting arranged by the Serbian Progressive Party were viciously assaulted. Those who have historically advocated for freedom of assembly, lamenting to Europeans and others about being denied their rights, orchestrated a lynching of individuals solely based on differing opinions,” Vučić stated.

He described how they “threw everything they could, from oysters to eggs.”

“These same individuals, if you merely glance at them, will accuse you of advocating for violence. They didn’t hesitate to unleash a torrent of vulgarities and make the most abhorrent fascist threats. The attack on Mayor Pavlović epitomizes their distorted revolution—miserable, pitiful, corrupt… What Dragoslav Gale Pavlović demonstrated, unfazed and smiling, symbolizes the resilience to confront the trio of degradation in Niš: Milić, Banana’s dean Jovanović, and Stanković. I urge relevant state authorities to promptly arrest the hoodlums who participated in the attacks on women, striking dozens with eggs, assaulting them in front of their husbands merely because they held different beliefs and perhaps can’t express themselves as vocally,” he said.

He mentioned plans to return to Niš soon to confront all thugs involved that night, asserting that they cannot impose order in Serbia as they wish.

“Serbia will function as a state, and the attackers will face justice,” Vučić concluded.

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