Protests continued today in Belgrade as students and experts for the preservation of Serbia’s cultural and historical heritage blocked the Belgrade Fair from 9 AM to 1 PM. The blockade and a demonstration outside the Savski Venac Police Station followed the detention of three individuals, who have since been released.
Detentions and Release
The three arrested individuals – architect Miljan Salata, a first-year architecture student, and a female citizen – were released after being taken into custody. They were initially accused of insulting police officers on duty. Upon his release, Miljan Salata told N1 that they would contest the misdemeanor charges filed against them for disturbing public order and peace.
Citizens gathered outside the Savski Venac Police Station, making noise with whistles and demanding the release of those detained, according to FoNet.
Gendarmerie Intervention and Allegations
Members of the Gendarmerie broke up an attempt to block the road in front of the Belgrade Fair building on Bulevar vojvode Mišića earlier this morning, telling protesters they were disturbing public order and peace and ordering them back onto the sidewalks. This was followed by the identification of students and citizens, leading to the three detentions.
Srđan Milivojević, President of the Democratic Party and a Member of Parliament, told N1 that Gendarmerie officers twisted his arm when he tried to prevent the detention of a woman recording his statement near the Fair.
Protesters’ Demands and Concerns
Student Valentina told N1 that despite their protest being officially reported, police and Gendarmerie officers ordered them off the road. “We came to protest against the demolition of the Fair. The auxiliary building, ‘Slikarnica,’ has been demolished. Once the machines arrive, it’s very difficult to get them to leave. They have started now; we came here today, and we will be here every day, and we will not allow them to continue,” she stated.
She added that protesters were warned they would be identified if they stood in the street and would face criminal charges if they used containers to block the road.
Milivojević also highlighted that Gendarmerie officers were once again covering their faces with balaclavas, or “phantomks,” a practice he noted is uncommon globally except in Serbia. “What is taught in the police academy in Kamenica is that criminals hide their faces. Here, it’s the opposite – police hide, and citizens don’t hide their faces,” Milivojević told N1.
