Protest in Belgrade on March 15 (BETAPHOTO/EMIL VAS)
Late on Aug. 27, the blockading students of the Novi Sad University’s School of Philosophy announced that their dean, Milivoje Alanovic, is directly responsible for the clashes that occurred between police and the protesting students and general public.
“Milivoje Alanovic is directly responsible for the police clashes with students and members of the public, because he did not want to recall the officers and allow the students to enter the school building,” the students stated in a post on social media.
In the evening of Aug. 27, cordons of numerous police and gendarmerie officers pushed back the protestors rallied in front of the School of Philosophy, forcing them to retreat about 50 meters, to a nearby parking lot. During the suppression, officers physically assaulted the demonstrators, hitting them and deploying pepper spray at eye-level. Afterwards, various pyrotechnic devices were utilized. The students claim police used stun grenades and fireworks, causing injuries to many of the demonstrators.
Prior to the clashes, professors, war veterans and other members of the public stood facing the cordon of riot-gear clad officers and called on all the University’s deans, vice deans and vice chancellors to take a clear stance regarding the police presence on the campus and to take action to preserve the autonomy and integrity of the University.
As of Aug. 28, the situation on the ground is calm.
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