Following the recent unrest in Novi Pazar, Serbian Police Director Dragan Vasiljevic addressed the public to provide more context and firmly condemn the actions of protesters.
He explained that the administration at the University of Novi Pazar had decided to enter faculty premises for inspection after receiving alerts indicating potential system malfunctions that could pose further risks.
“The police had been informed in advance and positioned support units nearby, ready to assist if any form of unrest broke out. Early in the day, the situation was tense, with shouting and disruptive behavior—but there were no violent acts at first,” Vasiljevic stated.
However, as the day progressed, the crowd began to grow—fluctuating between 60 and over 200 people. According to him, not all of them were students, and some individuals who joined the gathering were posing as such. The group reportedly attempted to break into the university by force and began throwing objects toward both law enforcement and the building itself.
Vasiljevic confirmed that several officers sustained injuries during the incident, with some requiring serious medical attention. No civilian injuries were reported.
“Once the gendarmerie arrived, the situation quickly de-escalated. Before that, however, the crowd smashed windows in one of the university’s buildings. Officers warned them clearly that force would be used if the attacks continued. Fortunately, they pulled back, and the violence stopped,” he said.
He also noted that the group directed chants and insults at police officers, government officials, and others.
“It’s critical that people show respect toward institutions and the law. This country belongs to all of us. And anyone who followed what happened could clearly see that police officers were targeted while doing their jobs with restraint,” he said.
Vasiljevic added that those involved had no genuine concern for Novi Pazar and were acting recklessly.
“I strongly condemn the individuals who attacked law enforcement. The Serbian police will not overlook this—those responsible will be identified and face legal consequences. I call on all citizens to abide by the law and refrain from acts that threaten public peace,” he emphasized.
He also rejected any possibility of letting protests block public infrastructure such as highways or bridges.
“We’ve demonstrated patience for months—allowing peaceful symbolic gestures like brief silent protests. Yet we hear complaints about the police moving people off highways. The fact is, anyone who lays a hand on an officer will be dealt with accordingly. Our responsibility is to protect order and ensure safety, and we will do exactly that,” Vasiljevic concluded.
