Police Enter Rectorate In Investigation of Student Death

BETAPHOTO/MILOS MISKOV

On March 31 members of the Department of Crime Police entered the Belgrade University Rectorate as part of an investigation into the death of a female student of the School of Philosophy.

The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Belgrade said that police were ordered to confiscate servers and other devices and equipment where security camera footage of the Rectorate, the entrance to the building and the door to the School of Philosophy from the inside of the Rectorate, is stored, as, based on the information that has been gathered so far, there is no record of the deceased student entering the School of Philosophy or footage of any other individuals being present at the School at the time.

"Besides the aforementioned, police were ordered to temporarily seize all other objects that could be used as evidence in criminal proceedings and also take all other necessary action toward obtaining evidence and establishing the circumstances that are relevant to the pre-investigative procedure being led under the suspicion that the dean and other employees jeopardized the safety of students and school employees," the Prosecutor's Office said.

It added that the authorities suspected negligent performance of professional duties as well as the crime of abuse of office.

The Belgrade University has released a statement saying that it will take all of the available legal and institutional steps to protect its autonomy, academic freedom and the human rights and integrity of its members.

"The University of Belgrade respects the law and is cooperating with the relevant bodies. Our openness and readiness to cooperate to establish the truth is obviously being abused. Laws are being interpreted and applied selectively, maliciously and arbitrarily, which shows a serious regression with regard to upholding the principles of rule of law," the University said on its Instagram account.

The University also said that it condemned the abuse of the tragic event at the School of Philosophy "for political manipulation, a shameless campaign by the tabloid media and the exertion of illegal pressure on the University and its members."