In the heart of Belgrade, the Serbian capital, thousands of demonstrators once again filled the city’s streets on Monday, September 8, 2025, voicing their outrage against President Aleksandar Vučić and his administration. The air was thick with tension and determination, echoing the persistent calls for justice and accountability that have gripped Serbia since late last year. The latest protest, a continuation of the student-led movement that began in November 2024, comes in the wake of an incident in Novi Sad just days earlier, where police deployed tear gas and stun grenades on a crowd of demonstrators—a move that has sparked fierce criticism and renewed demands for change.
According to reports from AP and Reuters, the Friday, September 5, protest in Novi Sad marked a turning point in the ongoing unrest. What began as peaceful demonstrations quickly escalated when authorities moved to disperse the crowd, resulting in dozens of injuries among both police and civilians. The use of what many are calling excessive force has become a flashpoint, fueling public anger and galvanizing opposition groups across the country.
At the center of the controversy is the case of Nikoline Sindjelic, a student who was detained during demonstrations the previous month. Sindjelic’s allegations of being beaten and sexually harassed while in police custody have struck a nerve with many Serbians, who see her experience as emblematic of deeper systemic issues within the country’s law enforcement and government institutions. During Monday’s protest in Belgrade, Sindjelic addressed the crowd directly, declaring, “The whole state system is directed against its own citizens.” Her words were met with thunderous applause, and chants of “It’s over with him,” a pointed reference to President Vučić, rippled through the assembled demonstrators.
“They beat us because they are afraid of truth … No power will break us,” Sindjelic added, her voice carrying over the sea of supporters. For many in attendance, her defiance was a rallying cry, encapsulating the frustration and resolve that have characterized the protest movement since its inception.
The roots of this unrest stretch back to a tragic accident in November 2024, when a concrete shelter at a newly reconstructed railway station in Novi Sad collapsed, killing 16 people. The disaster shocked the nation and quickly became a symbol of perceived government corruption and official negligence. As reported by TASR, a significant portion of the Serbian public believes that lax oversight and corrupt practices among officials played a direct role in the tragedy. This perception has fueled widespread anger and a sense that the country’s leadership is failing to protect its citizens.
In the months that followed, student-led protests became a regular fixture in Serbian cities, with demonstrators demanding accountability and systemic reform. For a long time, the demonstrations maintained a largely peaceful character, with participants focusing on calls for transparency and justice. However, the events of August 13, 2025, marked a shift, as clashes between protesters and police left dozens injured on both sides. The escalation of violence and the increasingly aggressive response from authorities have only deepened the resolve of those calling for change.
Monday’s protest in Belgrade was notable not only for its size but also for the diversity of its participants. Students, activists, and ordinary citizens marched side by side, united by a common demand: the punishment of police officers responsible for the excessive use of force in Novi Sad and for the alleged rape threats and mistreatment of Nikoline Sindjelic. The crowd’s anger was palpable, but so too was a sense of solidarity and shared purpose.
According to AP and Reuters, the demonstrators are also calling for early elections, hoping to unseat President Vučić and his Serbian Progressive Party (SNS). Many believe that only a change in leadership can address the underlying issues of corruption, abuse of power, and lack of accountability that have plagued the country in recent years.
The government, for its part, has defended the actions of the police, insisting that force was necessary to maintain public order during what it described as increasingly unruly demonstrations. However, critics argue that such justifications ring hollow in the face of mounting evidence of brutality and misconduct. The allegations of sexual harassment and threats against Sindjelic have been particularly damaging, prompting calls from human rights organizations and opposition leaders for an independent investigation.
“Accountability is not just a word—it’s a demand from the people,” said one protester, echoing a sentiment that has become increasingly common among those taking to the streets. The sense that the state has turned against its own citizens, as articulated by Sindjelic, has resonated deeply, fueling a movement that shows no signs of abating.
The ongoing unrest in Serbia is being closely watched by international observers, who see it as a test of the country’s commitment to democratic principles and the rule of law. The European Union and other international bodies have urged restraint on all sides and called for dialogue between the government and opposition groups. Yet, as the demonstrations continue and the demands for justice grow louder, the prospects for a quick resolution seem remote.
For many Serbians, the protests represent more than just a response to a single tragedy or a series of violent confrontations. They are, at their core, an expression of deep-seated frustration with a political system that many feel has failed them. The calls for early elections and the removal of President Vučić reflect a desire for a new beginning—a hope that, through collective action, the country can chart a different course.
As night fell on Belgrade, the chants and songs of the demonstrators lingered in the air, a reminder that, despite the challenges and setbacks, the movement for change remains strong. Whether the government will heed the calls for accountability and reform remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the voices of Serbia’s protesters are not fading quietly into the night.
