Stefan Stamenković, who ran for mayor of Štrpce and maintains a Facebook page publishing materials critical of the Serb List, was beaten two days ago during a celebration in Štrpce. The police have confirmed the incident, and other Serbian opposition politicians have expressed support for Stamenković.
The former mayoral candidate was threatened and assaulted during a Christmas celebration on Sunday.
Stamenković stated that he was attacked because of his stance against the Serb List and the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić.
“He told me he could kill me and assaulted me. I told him anyone can attack someone, but it’s not normal because we are humans and must respect each other. When I turned to look at my friend, he grabbed me and threw me onto the asphalt. Then I fell and he hit me again. I suffered injuries to my head, neck, and bruises on my hips,” said the Serbian politician.
Police confirmed the report.
On February 22, 2026, at 21:08 in Štrpce, a Kosovo-Serb male reported being physically attacked by an unknown person. The victim was under the influence of alcohol and received medical treatment. The case was registered as ‘minor bodily injury,’ and relevant police units are conducting investigations to identify the suspect, according to the Ferizaj Police Directorate.
Stamenković emphasized that, despite alcohol consumption, he did not cause any problems during the celebration. He added that the attacker is known to the police and called for justice to be served without political interference.
“I don’t know if anyone in the police will protect them, but we know that in the Balkans everything is political, and every institution is corrupt enough to try to shelve incidents for benefit or bad intentions. There are certainly many witnesses who can confirm that I have not harmed anyone,” Stamenković stated, according to Koha.
The Basic Prosecutor’s Office in Ferizaj noted that the police have not yet forwarded the case to them.
Several Serbian opposition politicians have also reacted. Milija Bishevac, head of the SNP party, expressed support, saying, “For years, violence has been a tool for dealing with dissidents and disciplining those who think and speak differently.”
Similarly, SZS assembly member in North Mitrovica, Marko Jakšić, wrote on Facebook that the political arena should be a place for debate and argumentation, not silence and physical violence.
