European Democratic Party General Secretary on Events in Valjevo One Year Ago: Political Responsibility Leads to Vucic

Sandro Gozi (BETAPHOTO/European Democratic Party)

Sandro Gozi, European Democratic Party general secretary and a member of the European Parliament, said on Aug. 14 that the violence and humiliation that happened in Valjevo and Novi Sad one year ago cannot be separated from the political system built by Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic.

One year since police used violence against students and other citizens in Valjevo in the night between Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, 2025, the European Democratic Party stressed in a statement that no one has been held accountable. "One year ago, Serbia witnessed a night of shame. Images of violence. Images of humiliation. One year later, no one has been held accountable. Serbia has not forgotten. Europe must not forget either," the European Democratic Party said.

"A year later, criminal complaints have been filed against 28 police officers, yet no one has been brought to justice," the statement went on to say. The case was transferred to the Organized Crime Prosecutor's Office only after the local prosecutor was criticized for an inefficient inquiry. "When citizens are beaten, young people are humiliated and, one year later, no one has been held accountable, this is no longer just a question of police misconduct. It is a question of political responsibility. And that responsibility leads directly to Vucic," Gozi said, adding that Serbia is approaching "a decisive electoral moment."

"The next elections must be genuinely free and fair: media pluralism, clean electoral rolls and zero intimidation. Serbian citizens must be free to choose their future," Gozi said. The European Democratic Party expressed solidarity with the students, citizens, journalists and democratic forces of Serbia.