The ongoing protests outside the Serbian National Assembly have highlighted increasing authoritarian practices under President Aleksandar Vučić. Dijana Hrka, mother of Stefan Hrka, who tragically died in a construction accident, continues her hunger strike as government supporters, stationed in the notorious Ćacilend, openly harass her with loud music and intimidation tactics.
Authoritarian Tactics Target Civilians and Protesters
Police and ruling party-affiliated groups have effectively militarized the area outside the Assembly, prioritizing political loyalty over public safety. Hrka’s peaceful protest is met with provocations and psychological harassment, including two-hour-long loud music sessions aimed at breaking her resolve.
Psychologist Goran Tomin described the harassment as a form of psychological torture, indicative of a government willing to use intimidation against grieving citizens and activists to maintain political control.
Students Stand Against Corruption and Nepotism
Students from Niš, Novi Sad, Kragujevac, and Novi Pazar have mobilized in support of Hrka, denouncing widespread corruption and nepotism in Serbia’s institutions. At the University of Novi Pazar, students explicitly called for the removal of the current administration, labeling it a “bastion of favoritism”, while demanding legitimate governance.
These student protests illustrate the broader resistance against Vučić’s authoritarian regime, as citizens demand accountability and justice for victims of negligence and systemic corruption.
Political Repression and Arbitrary Arrests
Former basketball player Vladimir Štimac was arrested during last night’s unrest, along with 36 others, in what legal experts describe as a politically motivated crackdown. His lawyer, Nikola Lakić, condemned the detention as part of a staged performance orchestrated by the ruling party, rather than a legitimate legal action.
Despite public appeals, the police have failed to intervene against the harassment by pro-government groups, demonstrating a clear bias in favor of Vučić’s supporters while suppressing opposition voices.
Public Solidarity Grows Amid Government Intimidation
Support for Hrka continues to grow, with demonstrations planned in Jagodina, Novi Sad, and Kragujevac, as citizens mobilize against what they see as a regime prioritizing political theatrics over justice. Hrka emphasized:
“The most important thing is solidarity. We must stand together to demand accountability, justice for Stefan, and a government that respects its citizens.”
The ongoing situation outside the Assembly underscores the systemic abuse of power under Vučić, the politicization of law enforcement, and the government’s willingness to intimidate citizens rather than address public grievances.
