A defense lawyer representing a group of student activists accused of attempting to undermine Serbia’s constitutional order has claimed that Interpol has refused to cooperate with Serbian authorities in pursuing six activists currently living in political exile.
Attorney Željko Kočić said Interpol had informed Serbian authorities that it would not process requests related to the so-called “Novi Sad Six,” arguing that the allegations against them constitute a political offense.
“Interpol has stated that it will not act on requests from the Republic of Serbia regarding the Novi Sad Six in exile because the offense they are accused of is considered a ‘political criminal offense,’ and that Serbia cannot use Interpol’s channels or police capacities in relation to these individuals,” Kočić wrote on social media.
According to the defense team, the document was obtained through the court handling the case. The reported communication also allegedly asks Serbian authorities to refrain from submitting further requests concerning the six activists, stating that such requests will not be accepted.
Kočić further claimed that the development reflects concerns over the rule of law in Serbia, while alleging that international scrutiny of organized crime in the country is increasing. Those remarks have not been independently verified by Interpol.
Ongoing Trial of Student Activists
The case before the Higher Court in Novi Sad involves 12 students and activists linked to the group Students Against Authoritarian Rule (STAV) and the Civic Movement of Free Citizens (PSG), who are facing charges of attempting to overthrow the constitutional order.
Six defendants—including student Lazar Dinić and activists Davor Stefanović, Mladen Cvijetić, Srđan Đurić, Marija Vasić, and Lado Jovović—were arrested ahead of the large student-led protest held in Belgrade on March 15. They spent more than seven months in detention and later under house arrest.
Defense lawyers have alleged that Davor Stefanović was assaulted while in custody and that Marija Vasić carried out a hunger and thirst strike during her detention.
Another six STAV activists—Mila Pajić, Branislav Đorđević, Doroteja Antić, Jovan Dražić, Anja Pitulić, and Dejan Bagarić—were abroad at the time of the arrests and remain outside Serbia. They are being tried in absentia.
Defense Challenges Evidence
The indictment is based on a secretly recorded conversation concerning preparations for the March 15 student protest, which was later broadcast by pro-government media.
Defense attorneys have repeatedly argued that the recording was obtained unlawfully and should not be admissible as evidence. They also contend that the criminal complaint filed by Serbia’s Ministry of Interior does not identify any illegal actions discussed in the conversation but instead relies on interpretations of what the activists allegedly intended or believed.
The defense has described the proceedings as a politically motivated prosecution targeting critics of the government.
Serbian authorities have maintained the charges against the defendants, while the court proceedings continue.
